The University of Texas at Austin School of Information is proud and eager to take a stand in favor of an open and equitable Internet. Thus, we oppose the recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission to roll back rules governing Net neutrality. Equitable access to the Internet is critical to ensure a steady flow of innovation by content providers as well as safeguarding freedom of access for consumers, the two groups that stand to lose most from rolling back Net neutrality. Equitable access is a contemporary key to free expression, both by citizens and businesses.
The Texas iSchool’s faculty, staff, and students play a critical role in the future of the Internet. We conduct pioneering research in areas such as human-computer interaction, machine learning, information work, digital humanities, health informatics, and information ethics and public policy, as well as preparing the next generation of information professionals who will be involved in growing and providing access to the Internet.
Many of the Texas iSchool’s alumni work in information technology companies, from large multinational corporations to small startups. We are particularly concerned about the future prospects of small businesses which form the backbone of industry in Texas and beyond. If Internet service providers (ISPs) charge content providers for faster data transmission speeds, large content providers will be able to pay these costs, but smaller companies will not, leading to stagnation in the marketplace of ideas. Stifling telecommunications neutrality is a tried and true way to ensure the success of rich incumbent firms and to smother newcomers. To ensure that the next generations of content providers are able to grow into future prominence, we must safeguard their ability to compete with more established content providers to ensure fair competition in an open Internet market.
Also, many of the Texas iSchool’s alumni work in public libraries and other organizations that focus on provision of access to information to the general public. Rolling back Net neutrality regulations has the potential to directly harm consumers—citizens—as they may face decreased choice and increased costs for accessing some content. While ISPs claim that eliminating Net neutrality will not influence the choices they give to consumers, it is doubtful they would push for these changes if they did not expect to gain an advantage over consumers and competitors. To ensure the public has open access to the Internet, it is critical to retain Net neutrality that protects consumers and innovative small businesses.
For media inquiries, email cassie@ischool.utexas.edu or call 512-623-9676.