I used to work for the LA Times, back in the good ole days when Otis Chandler used to treat us employeees with fancy holiday celebrations, a nurse going around to the offices giving free flu shots, and also displaying his own gorgeous cars in the parking structure for our enjoyment. So I know how expensive a full page ad was at that time. What with print newspapers on the decline, I’ve heard it’s around a mere $30K now for black and white on a weekday, more of course for color. I don’t know what it costs for sure but I’m pretty sure ATT can afford today’s full-page color ad in several major newspapers. What blew me away was this headline:
Consumers Need an Internet Bill of Rights
I was pretty sure this was some kind of way to duck and cover in the process of dumping net neutrality, but then the ad goes on to say:
It is time for Congress to end the debate once and for all by writing new laws that govern the internet and protect consumers.
AT&T is committed to an open internet. We don’t block websites. We don’t censor online content. And we don’t throttle, discriminate, or degrade network performance based on content Period.,,,,,
But the commitment of one company is not enough. Congressional action is needed to establish an “Internet Bill of Rights” that applies to all internet companies and guarantees neutrality, transparency, openness, non-discrimination and privacy protection for all internet users.
They tell us “We have publically committed these principals for over 10 years. And we will continue to abide by them in providing our customers the open internet experience they have come to expect.”
The whole ad sounds very positive. But as is explained here AT&T, and the other companies of course, are scared that states will pass all kinds of conflicting laws and they will have to negotiate and/or navigate a very complicated internet business environment unless Congress acts soon.
What think you? Do they mean it?