An advocacy group for musicians is sending up a red flag about the Internet potentially turning into a two-tier system – with faster speeds of delivery for those who can pay extra. The Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national nonprofit research group, says the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to significantly modify broadband Internet service delivery.

“Make no mistake,” said the FMC’s Casey Rae, “these proposed rules are not ‘net neutrality.’ This is the moment when the regulatory agency with a mandate to promote competition and diversity did just the opposite.” The Internet will now be what Rae calls a “fast lane for well-heeled corporations and a dirt road for everyone else.”

“Net neutrality” is the idea that all Internet content should flow at the same pace – whether it is being produced by a large corporation or a remote blogger. But, as the New York Times reports, the FCC moved Wednesday to allow media giants like Disney, Google and Netflix to pay Internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon for faster distribution of their content.

The FCC is formulating new rules that could radically reshape how internet content is delivered to consumers. Those concerned about net neutrality can speak out today when two FCC commissioners host a Twitter chat today on “Women in Tech.”

Rebecca Webb
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