That's a crucial freedom of speech issue going forword. Through its openness and decentralization, the Internet makes it possible for anyone to be a publisher and to reach millions of listeners worldwide simply and inexpensively. The narrowband Internet's low barriers to entry allow nearly anyone to be an Internet Service Provider and to participate in the global network on an equal par with others. The broad availability of the Internet gives businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals the unprecedented ability to speak, and allows listeners to receive content, free from governmental or private interference. Let's keep sight of the issue at hand.
Open access is about a consumer's freedom to choose the broadband provider of their choice.
So open access simply means no barriers to cable transport. Granted, an open access rider for AOL is a lot like a line-sharing order for incumbent carriers. But at least we will see if consumer choice can pry open the door for independent Internet service providers to enter the market segment. Cable companies like Comcast, Cox Communications, Cablevision, and others will have no choice but to follow suit. Only then will real open access truly be our national broadband policy.