The Internet Speaks Up: FCC’s Fast Lane Proposal Would Be “A Cluster f**k Worse Than Comcast’s Customer Service”

It’s been a long road since an appeals court threw out the FCC’s Open Internet Rule — the one most of us call net neutrality — back in January. The FCC proposed a replacement rule in May, but there’s one small snag: it’s terrible. The proposal currently on the table would allow large ISPs to charge businesses for prioritized access, effectively splitting the internet into fast and slow lanes and choosing for consumers what sites and services they can best access. With the for-really-reals final deadline for the public to have its say fast approaching, today a large swath of the internet is speaking up for net neutrality and asking their visitors and customers to do the same.

During the first comment period, late-night comedian John Oliver ended up breaking the FCC’s comment site, but that didn’t stop the internet from having its say. Comments are still pouring in — at last count, the FCC had received over 1.3 million — and organizers of the Battle For The Net protest are hoping for one large, final push.

Internet-based businesses are joining the chorus. Etsy, Reddit, and Netflix are all displaying banners urging site visitors to contact lawmakers in support of net neutrality. Kickstarter has devoted their front page to the effort. And Tumblr, in true Tumblr fashion, has simply created a post that is quickly finding its way reblogged through the service — complete with a video featuring explosions, explanations, and actor Mark Ruffalo.

Other major internet companies, including WordPress and Mozilla, are also backing the effort.

Some lawmakers have jumped in as well, including Senators Ed Markey (MA) and Angus King (ME).

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