Library, Higher Education Organizations File Net Neutrality Comments With FCC

Today, July 18, 2014, ARL, together with 10 other library and higher education groups, filed comments with the FCC on net neutrality (PDF). These comments largely expand on the points made in the Net Neutrality Principles jointly filed by library and higher education groups on July 10, going into greater detail and making specific suggestions to strengthen the proposals made in the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

The comments point out that library and higher education organizations depend on the open Internet, or net neutrality, to carry out their missions and ensure the protection of freedom of speech, education achievement, and economic growth. The organizations note that the essential character of the Internet is an open platform, promoting “the open exchange of information, intellectual discourse, research, free speech, technological creativity, innovation, and learning.” The comments recommend that the FCC’s final order recognize the value of net neutrality for education, research, and freedom of speech.

Specifically, the comments note that public libraries provide Internet access to their patrons, a particularly necessary service for the approximately one-third of the population that does not have broadband access at home but relies on such access to complete homework assignments, locate e-government services, find health information, apply for jobs, share digital content, and other activities. Higher education institutions make Internet access available to their students, faculty, researchers, and administration. Many students today are also involved in distance learning—including MOOCs—or hybrid courses and therefore depend on the availability of high-bandwidth Internet access...