Minnesota-based, successful business owner Tom Salonek had a letter in Minneapolis Star Tribune on his perspective on Net Neutrality – spoiler alert, he’s for it. I think he does a good job outlining the impact of Net Neutrality and explaining why it’s important to small and midsized businesses.

He describes Net Neutrality…

Net neutrality is akin to our current roadway system, where everyone has access to the same roads and speed limits, with the exception of the occasional toll road. Now imagine a different system in which the only free route goes down winding back country roads, has detours and a speed limit of 45 mph. A direct route for this same trip using the freeway system and a speed limit of 70 mph is available — but only for a significant fee.

Frames it from the business perspective…

The problem with a closed Internet is glaringly clear for the millions of small and medium-sized businesses around the world: they will be at a technical disadvantage when competing with larger organizations that have deeper pockets.

And lest you conclude that my argument sounds like sour grapes from a small-business owner, please remember that the equal playing field of the Internet created the sites most people use today, like Google and Facebook.

This is why the FCC must prevail in enforcing open Internet rules.

Outlines the FCC’s perspective…

Specifically, the FCC rules are based on three principles:

Transparency: Broadband providers must disclose information regarding their network management practices, performance, and the commercial terms of their broadband services;

No blocking: Fixed broadband providers (such as DSL, cable modem or fixed wireless providers) may not block lawful content, applications, services or non-harmful devices. Mobile broadband providers may not block lawful websites, or applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services;

No unreasonable discrimination: Fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service. The no blocking and no unreasonable discrimination rules are subject to limited exceptions for “reasonable network management.”