The Internet got its nickname, “The Information Superhighway,” because of the fast accessibility to vast amounts of information that it provides users. But if some companies have their way, this superhighway could potentially turn into a traffic-clogged queue.

Some broadband providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, have lobbied Congress to allow a non-neutral, tiered network that would grant certain Web sites priority in bandwidth over others and filter out certain content, based on the Internet service providers' policies. Opponents, such as Google and Yahoo! Inc., argue that such a move constitutes discrimination and antitrust violations.

Now this hot-button issue is finally making some progress in Congress. On May 25, the House Committee on the Judiciary passed legislation to preserve open access. The bill, known as the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006,” would require broadband providers to give independent content providers equal speed and quality of service as larger providers.

“Today is a great day for the Internet,” read a statement from the It'sYourNet coalition, a collective of Internet companies, including Amazon.com, eBay, Google and Yahoo!, small business organizations, trade associations and public interest organizations. “As the name of this legislation underscores, Congress has a duty to protect the longstanding and fundamental laws that govern the Internet and protect all of its users against discriminatory practices.”

The Internet got its nickname, “The Information Superhighway,” because of the fast accessibility to vast amounts of information that it provides users. But if some companies have their way, this superhighway could potentially turn into a traffic-clogged queue.

Some broadband providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, have lobbied Congress to allow a non-neutral, tiered network that would grant certain Web sites priority in bandwidth over others and filter out certain content, based on the Internet service providers' policies. Opponents, such as Google and Yahoo! Inc., argue that such a move constitutes discrimination and antitrust violations.

Now this hot-button issue is finally making some progress in Congress. On May 25, the House Committee on the Judiciary passed legislation to preserve open access. The bill, known as the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006,” would require broadband providers to give independent content providers equal speed and quality of service as larger providers.

“Today is a great day for the Internet,” read a statement from the It'sYourNet coalition, a collective of Internet companies, including Amazon.com, eBay, Google and Yahoo!, small business organizations, trade associations and public interest organizations. “As the name of this legislation underscores, Congress has a duty to protect the longstanding and fundamental laws that govern the Internet and protect all of its users against discriminatory practices.”