Where do you really stand on net neutrality?

Sydney, Australia, April, 2007 - The first online survey on net neutrality
was launched this week seeking to better understand the issues and to test
perceptions of Internet users globally.



"Whilst the issue of net neutrality is currently focused on the US, it is
starting to cross borders indicating that it is set to become a global
issue. It concerns all of us, not just US citizens," says Chris Ellis
co-founder of www.copowi.com where the survey is being run.



"Net neutrality has become a buzzword with claims and counterclaims, yet no
real research has been undertaken which tests what people really think. It
is amazing that net neutrality is about the future of the Internet, yet no
one has bothered to use this great tool to garner a better understanding of
the issue through research."



www.copowi.com, which is stands for community powered internet, was also
launched this week and seeks to promote the idea the solution to maintaining
the Internet open and fair is by empowering communities to become Internet
access providers on a social enterprise basis.



"Everyone is talking about regulating ISPs or leaving it to private
enterprise, yet no one has suggested the idea of a different business model
for ISPs, which is a third more simpler option," Mr Ellis stated.



Mr Ellis goes on to explain that social enterprise is characterised by
creativity, entrepreneurship, and a focus on community rather than
individual profit. By adopting this business model, community groups
worldwide would become stakeholders in the Internet rather than passive
consumers. As stakeholders they will have a greater say in how the Internet
develops.



In another first, the survey available at www.copowi.com is open and anyone
can access and run filters to mine the data online and draw their own
conclusions.



Net neutrality is a recent term which refers to the principle that Internet
users should be in control of what content they view and what applications
they use on the Internet, not the Internet access providers.
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