Editor,

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 the FCC voted to formally repeal net neutrality. I’ve emailed and called WhidbeyTelecom to ask them their official stance on net neutrality. I haven’t heard back from them yet. I strongly encourage everyone to email or call WhidbeyTel.com and ask them to release an official statement. If you don’t know why this is important, here are two examples as to how the net neutrality repeal could affect you:

1) If you run a small business from your home and you don’t have a business-level service from your internet service provider, your ISP could block your access to web-based business software like Quickbooks — unless you upgrade to a business plan. This will be completely legal.

2) So now you’re thinking, I don’t have a small business, it won’t affect me. Harken back to the dark, dial-up days of the internet and remember AOL. Do you remember how AOL had their own web-browser and you were limited to the channels that they provided you? That’s the future of the internet without net neutrality. But actually, the future looks grimmer because what if you want to look up sports news — oops! You can’t. You aren’t paying for the sports package. Or want to stream television on a competitor’s website — denied.

I’m on the technologically savvy side of things and I know that I’ll figure out a work-around for my family. But the average person won’t know all the tips and tricks for getting around this. Again, I strongly encourage everyone to email or call WhidbeyTel and tell them your stance on net neutrality and ask them for their official statement regarding net neutrality.

• Email: cec@whidbeytel.com

• Phone: 866-548-7760

Andrea Fowler

Clinton