Verizon and Net Neutrality - Call to Action NJ

by: RedBankTom

Mon May 22, 2006 at 05:42:56 PM EDT

Now is the time for New Jersey residents to take a stand for keeping the internet a level playing field.  Verizon, with its deep pockets, has managed to push legislation through the Assembly that now allows them to apply for a state wide cable TV franchise.  We have a period of 45 days from the time that this law is signed into office till the State Board of Public Utilities approves Verizon’s franchise.  We must pull out all stops to tie Network Neutrality to Verizon’s application for a cable TV franchise.

While the Net Neutrality fight in Congress gets all of the attention the real fight has landed on our doorsteps.  We can not rely on federal legislation; Verizon’s lobbyist pockets are too deep, I don’t want to wait and see what the outcome is there.  No, the fight for Net Neutrality just landed here in New Jersey and we have a month and a half to take a stand.

We have to make every effort to get the State Board of Public Utilities to see that Net Neutrality and Cable TV are tied together and then push them to hold Verizon’s feet to the fire and protect Net Neutrality.  We can force Verizon to choose between supporting Net Neutrality or having a state wide Cable TV franchise.

We need to get organized ASAP.  I’ve been pushing these issues on my local blog: http://www.redbanktv.org but now we need to all get together and help out.

We need people who know how the BPU works, we need to start raising the BPU’s awareness of Net Neutrality and we need to push them to see Net Neutrality as a deciding factor as to whether or not to grant Verizon’s application.

Let’s start getting organized. Please help me spread the word.