Companies and big corporations have been trying for years to make us pay more for internet services. With the recent vote to begin trashing the Obama-approved net neutrality rules, I decided to do some detective work and bring some information/proof of just how internet service providers attempt to get away with sleazy practices.

2005 – Madison River Communications was blocking VoIP calling, which the FCC stopped.

2005 – Comcast denied access to P2P services without notifying customers.

2007-2009 – AT&T was having Skype and other VOIPs blocked because they didn’t like the competition for their cellphones.

2011 – MetroPCS tried to block all streaming except youtube. (And later sued the FCC for this.)

2011-2013 – AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon were blocking access to Google Wallet because it competed with their bullshit. Happened months after the trio were busted collaborating with Google to block apps from the Android Marketplace

2012 – Verizon was demanding Google block tethering apps on Android because it let owners avoid their $20 tethering fee. This was despite guaranteeing they wouldn’t do that as part of a winning bid on an airwaves auction. (Fined $1.25million over this.)

2012 – AT&T tried to block access to FaceTime unless customers paid more money.

2013 – Verizon literally stated that the only thing stopping them from favoring some content providers over other providers were the net neutrality rules in place.

This, in conjunction with the astroturfing of the FCC comment area, which can be found by going here: www.gofccyourself.com , all cropped up in the last few weeks. When 90%+ of the comments were pro-NN (if you disregard the stolen identity comments that were anti-NN) and was completely disregarded. Honestly, it’s an insulting slap in the dick to Americans. Why should we pay more, like with DirecTV or Dish Network, to get “packages” that nickel and dime us for a little bit more money. Or even blocking access entirely, which is easier with all these monopolies floating around. (Only two ISPs in my area, and one that refuses to bring a new line to give AT&T some competition.)

Seriously, go comment at that link. I believe there are some peaceful protests in works, which I’ll have to find out about at some point. I’m considering participating in something, more than just signing my name with some words on a website. This has come up before, and been beat down in court already, but the politicians pushing this agenda are out for money. (Oh, and don’t get me started on the bribes lobbying these corporations are doing to pay-to-win. Lobbying should be illegal if it involves “gifts” or “donations” or anything of that nature.)

Anyway, hopefully this will get some additional attention. I don’t want to pay extra to access YouTube, or get on Steam/Origin. Damn sure don’t want to have to pay to get access to a website that I may not use frequently. I’m not a walking wallet.