EDUCAUSE and Internet2 Support Bi-Partisan Legislation to Protect the Open Internet

EDUCAUSE and Internet2 have announced their support for the “Internet Freedom Preservation Act” introduced today by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and co-sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Kerry (D-MA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL). 

The introduction of this bill so quickly in this new Congress is extremely good news.  It demonstrates that the enacting net neutrality legislation remains a priority for several members of the Senate.  This bill provides an active and bi-partisan solution preventing phone and cable companies from manipulating the performance and architecture of the Internet. As a result, the bill protects the openness and freedom of the Internet that are so vital to enabling the research and education community to fulfill its missions of promoting educational and innovation opportunities for all Americans.

Many students, faculty, and researchers already routinely use technologies such as DVD-quality videoconferencing, and are hard at work developing more advanced, potentially life-changing technologies in areas such as telemedicine and distance-learning. These technologies will  help to unleash unparalleled economic opportunity if—and only if—consumers, businesses, students, and entrepreneurs are given unfettered access to high-speed broadband connections and content.

EDUCAUSE and Internet2 look forward to working with members of both the House and the Senate to enact legislation this year.  Keeping the Internet open to all Americans is important to both Republicans and Democrats.

Learn more about the importance of this issue to higher education and the public at the EDUCAUSE Net Neutrality resource site.

About EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 250 corporations, with 17,000 active members. Learn more about EDUCAUSE at www.educause.edu.

About Internet2

Led by more than 200 U.S. universities working with industry and government, Internet2 develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies for research and higher education, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet. Internet2 recreates the partnerships among academia, industry, and government that helped foster today’s Internet in its infancy. For more information, visit www.internet2.edu.