There is a growing movement by cable and phone companies to create a two-tiered Internet, one that has high speed access and another one that is much slower. Companies that pay more will have their web sites served through the fast lane and those who do not pay will have their sites go through the slower pipes.

This tier system already exists for individual users. Dial-up connections are the least expensive and slowest. Cable and DSL are considerably faster and the more money you pay, the faster the connection.

The problem with applying tiers to serving web sites is that large corporations would have a much greater presence on the Internet than small companies and non-profit groups. It will be more difficult for start-ups and non-profits to make their point on the Internet.

The Internet is the great equalizer for our time. Everyone has a voice, and small companies with limited advertising budgets can present their innovations to the world at little cost.

The good news is that the Democrats support net neutrality. They control Congress now and have made it a high priority to protect internet freedom. They will ensure that a net neutrality law will provide web sites to all users on an equal level.

Should Canadians be concerned about Internet freedom in the U.S.? What happens down there usually occurs here as well.

Ultimately, net neutrality is good for business. Many large corporations had very humble beginnings. Who knows when the next great innovators will rise?

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