As is the case with many bills and agencies in Washington, House Democrats’“Save the Internet Act” is merely more government wrapped up in a feel-good title. This bill would not save the internet; it would stifle the greatest catalyst for innovation in human history under the ironically named goal of “net neutrality.”

“Net neutrality” is not merely — as its supporters claim — ensuring large internet service providers treat all data as equal and forgo “fast lanes” for internet access. It means regulating the internet as a public utility. Before 2015, and since the Federal Communications Commission repealed the Obama-era rules in 2017, the internet was and is treated as an “information service.” In this environment, internet companies are much more likely to innovate and invest in their services.

If you love the internet, this is a good thing. The more we can do to empower industry to solve its own issues, the quicker we can bring vital connectivity to people in under-served areas. We can bolster start-ups and small businesses, bring medical access to remote areas, and enable better cross-continent communication.
As long as someone owns a connected device — and 95% of Americans do – they can access the entirety of human knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals across the globe. The internet is, at its core, an opportunity engine.
We do not know what the next generation of tech-savvy problem-solvers will create to make Americans’ lives better. What we do know is that government’s heavy hand can stifle the most intrepid entrepreneurs from their pursuits. When that happens, we don’t see it, but we all lose because of it.
This Letter-to-the-Editor was published by the Bangor Daily News on June 19, 2019