In 2006, to ensure federal telecommunications policy and decision makers understand the importance of a "neutral" network, Internet2 worked with EDUCAUSE and a coalition of like-minded organizations to promote provisions in federal telecommunications law that protect network neutrality. The Internet's underlying open architecture, which treats all lawful uses of the network equally, has supported unprecedented innovation in nearly every area of society. Individuals and businesses today routinely use Internet technologies and services pioneered by research and education. The Internet has become the most valuable medium for distance learning, scientific research, telemedicine, and many other educational purposes, as well as a critical tool for businesses and an engine for economic growth.
However, cable and telephone companies have publicly stated their intent to fundamentally change the architecture of the Internet in order to create tiered networks for premium delivery of their own proprietary services. The Internet2 community has a strong interest in ensuring the Internet remains open, enabling continued innovation and equitable access to online resources. A continued open commercial Internet will help ensure the technology being developed, tested, and deployed by the Internet2 community today can serve as the foundation for even greater innovation by entrepreneurs, students, consumers, and small businesses in the future.