Who is in charge of the Internet?

If you can answer that question, you probably should be in Washington, D.C. helping our Congress members decide if the Federal Communications Commission should regulate the Internet, or if government should keep its mitts off what is essentially a private enterprise.

This debate about "net neutrality'' is a tug of war between the government and telecommunications companies like Verizon and Comcast. In the middle of this argument are consumers, who are essentially waiting to see how the outcome will shape their access to information via the Internet.

 My friend and former colleague Amy Schatz covers the FCC and tech policy for the Wall Street Journal. In that capacity, she recently was interviewed by Terry Gross, host of the National Public Radio show Fresh Air. Amy crystallized the issue for NPR's listeners: "Who is going to control the (broadband) lines that go into your house?"

(Click here to access the NPR interview with Amy.)

Since it aired, a federal appeals court has ruled that the FCC is overstepping its authority by trying to impose network neutrality rules in a case involving Comcast and which dates to 2008. That court ruling almost certainly means the issue will be decided by Congress, which hasn't updated its telecommunications laws since 1996. Of course, the Internet was just a toddler back then, and the government did not anticipate that the delivery technology would evolve so quickly.

Everyone who has broadband Internet service could be affected by this debate. My advice is that you familiarize yourself with the issue now, so you'll understand what is at stake when when your elected representatives and the cable companies start demonizing each other for their differing opinions.

 © Jeff Webb Communications 2010. All rights reserved.