Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 1, 2006. 20/20 Communications is joining Google in opposing the passage of House Bill 6456.

House Bill 6456 goal is to provide a single uniform method for network operators such as telephone companies and Internet Service Providers to obtain a video franchise for all of Michigan.

Our opposition to the bill is not in what it appears to do but on the lack of attention to the issue of Network Neutrality.

Network Neutrality is a simple concept. Each network operator agrees it will not favor one company's packets over another's as they traverse the network.

Some argue this is an old fashioned concept. They argue they should be able to charge web site operators for the privilege of having their packets move from the web site to a customer. They propose a tiered service. In a tiered service the wealthy or the willing web sites would PAY the network operator for the privilege of having customers use a faster network for access to their sites. Sites not paying get lower service levels.

Since House Bill 6456 does not ensure Network Neutrality, 2020 Communications has written its district state Senator, Liz Brater, to urge her to vote against this dangerous legislation. Also, we do not believe appropriate language can be drafted in the lame duck session. 20/20 has urged Senator Brater to work with others in the Senate to end the effort to ram this legislation through in the closing moments of the current session.

If the video bill makes sense, it will make as much sense in the next session crafted with strong language protecting the right of every Internet user to have unfettered access to any web site.

About 20/20 Communications. 20/20 Communications is one of the largest private ISPs in the state and the largest provider of Wireless Internet Service in Southeast Michigan. 20/20 was recently awarded the Wireless Washtenaw contract from Washtenaw County. The goal of Wireless Washtenaw is to provide access to broadband WiFi service to all residents and businesses in Washtenaw County. The Wireless Washtenaw project is currently in the Pilot phase in Downtown Ann Arbor, Manchester and Saline.

For more information visit our website at www.2020comm.com or contact us at 734-973-2020.