Norm Needleman, Essex first selectman and Democratic candidate for the 33rd District State Senate seat, on June 18 expressed his strong support for guaranteeing equal access to Internet websites, information, and entertainment. He spoke just days after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed federal net neutrality protections.

“The FCC has given a handful of communications companies free reign to decide which Internet services individuals and business can easily access,” said Needleman. “That decision significantly affects how the Internet works for every individual and business in our country, our state, and our district. Giant Internet service providers [ISPs] can now decide which information services and entertainment outlets get preferential access to higher speed delivery. Consumers, small businesses, and educational institutions will pay the price here in Connecticut and across the country.”

ISP’s are now free to manipulate Internet access to suit their own competitive and revenue objectives, Needleman stated. They can charge more for access to the “fast lane”, and can limit access to services and outlets that compete with them.

Needleman said there have been numerous examples of what could become standard practice on the part of the big ISP’s: Verizon Wireless was caught limiting access to Netflix and YouTube; AT&T was caught limiting access to Face Time; and Comcast was caught curtailing access to peer-to-peer file applications.

“A few giant companies should not dictate the content and information we see and how we access the Internet every day,” Needleman continued. “That’s why I will join the non-partisan fight to keep Internet access from being manipulated by a handful of communications companies.”

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.