Network neutrality

Regarding the column “‘Net neutrality’ bill a trap” (BDN, May 11), Sen. Carol Weston’s first point is spot on: Network neutrality is a problem that must be solved at a federal level. However, Sen. Weston is off on her second point. There are many Maine businesses that are in favor of network neutrality. These businesses, including GWI, are investing in broadband for Maine and seek to invest more. However, lack of network neutrality acts as a disincentive for these companies to invest.

Network neutrality is about nondiscriminatory access to the Internet. Maine networking companies have good reason to believe that if discrimination is allowed, we will be the first discriminated against. Maine’s vital communications networks are increasingly controlled by large, out-of-state corporations that do not view Maine as the best place to invest their money.

Fifteen years ago, there were 21 cable companies serving Maine; now there are five, with the largest controlling 85 percent of the market. Two years ago the largest local phone company bought MCI, the second largest provider of local service. The largest phone company now has over 85 percent of the local telephone line market. Ten years ago, there are were over 100 Internet service providers offering service in Maine; most of these were Maine local companies. Now there are less than a dozen.

These companies have shown a willingness to shift investment out of Maine to more profitable urban markets. The combination of stifling local competition and failure to invest is a cause of lack of advanced Internet facilities in Maine.

I believe U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud understand Maine is particularly affected by this problem. This is why they are leading the battle for network neutrality at the federal level. I urge Sen. Weston to help Sen. Snowe by authorizing the Public Utilities Commission to study the impact of network neutrality on Maine.

Fletcher Kittredge,

GWI

Biddeford