The FCC is proposing new rules to allow Internet providers to discriminate based on content to provide separate and unequal speeds across the Internet.

The proposal could, in practical terms, create “fast” and “slow” lanes for the Internet. This means that website owners and entrepreneurs may be forced to pay an arbitrary fee to ISPs like Verizon and Time Warner if they want their visitors to be able to access their website at normal speeds.

If the website happens to be wealthy (ala Google) they pay the fee as its not a financial hardship. This proposal really puts the crunch on the small companies who are trying to compete with the larger incumbents as it obviates the equality of access we all currently enjoy.

#StopTheSlowLane is an initiative to raise awareness about this issue. At its core is a simple JavaScript widget, an animated GIF, or a WordPress Plugin for your website or blog that will inform your visitors about what’s going on and empower them to easily contact Congress and the FCC about the issue.

Please help us send a message that instituting a slow lane on the Internet is anathema to those of us who demand freedom of access.