The ArtLab

"As the time grows closer for a Commission decision on proposed rules to preserve an Open Internet, Arts+Labs is pleased that serious participants in the policy arena are narrowing their differences on the key issues.   While a handful of the most ardent advocates remain wedded to an "all or nothing" posture, those individuals and organizations that actively participate in the Internet ecosystem, invest in the infrastructure, develop the content, create and maintain websites, operate the search engines, write the software, and manufacture the equipment recognize that the time is coming closer to resolve the debate and put in place a reasonable framework that will enable all of us to move forward with certainty about the rules.
 
Our reading of comments filed with the Commission and other public statements reveals consensus support that the existing four wireline principles that have long guided the Commission's commitment to an open Internet based on a clear set of user rights also should continue to guide industry behavior.   We also see strong support for a new 'transparency' principle that ensures that Internet users know what they are paying for and can be confident that they are receiving the promised goods and services.  For our part, we believe that meaningful transparency would provide strong support for the user protections embodied in the existing principles and would also deter harmful discrimination in the future.
 
We find growing support for robust 'network management' that enables network operators to address threats to the network, respond effectively to congestion, combat spam and viruses, and confront a growing range of cybersecurity threats.   For operators, the ability to manage their networks will enable them to move forward with cost-effective investment that enables them to enhance quality and not just frantically add bandwidth that enables
them to run in place with exploding consumer demand.   For consumers, effective network management translates into a better online experience with fewer delays and disruptions especially for the expanding universe of latency-sensitive activities like streaming video and VoIP phone calling.
 
While there remains some disagreement over how best to define 'reasonable network management,' Arts+Labs believes that the basis exists for final agreement."