This past summer, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., introduced with very little fan fair the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009, a bill designed to allow the FCC to create regulations based on net neutrality. Three months later, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced the similarly named Internet Freedom Act of 2009.

Despite the similar titles, these bills are in direct opposition to one another. While Markey’s bill aims to ensure a free and open Internet through the creation of discrete written rules, McCain’s bill gives that power to the Internet service providers who believe the corporations will uphold the ideal of a free and open Internet.

For those who do not know, net neutrality is the concept that everything on the Internet should be accessible to all users. For example, someone who connects to the Internet with Comcast should be able to access the same Web sites as a Qwest or Time Warner customer.

Effectively, net neutrality is the principle that an ISP cannot slow traffic or impede a user from viewing any Web site, even if it helps a competitor. This does not mean that each company must offer the same quality of connection, but the connection must lead to the same place. Thus, one company can offer a faster connection than their competitor.

Proponents of formal rules regarding net neutrality fear that ISPs will create a tiered service model similar to those already in place in cable television and phone service. They worry about a future where $5 more will allow you access to the premium package.

Comcast already has a download cap of 250 GB a month. That is quite a large amount of data, but that number is already falling for other companies. In April 2009, Time Warner Cable started what they call “Consumption Based Billing.” Consumers are charged from around $30 to $50 with download caps of 5, 10, 20 or 40 GB a month with an overage charge of $1 per Gigabyte.

The fact of the matter is that corporate interests have consistently been more concerned with profits, rather than consumer interest. Bernie Madoff sure was not looking out for his clients. When it comes to the telecommunication companies, the FCC is the lesser of two evils.

We need set rules to limit the power these corporations have over the Internet. As of today, there are no written net neutrality rules, but hopefully with Markey’s bill, there soon will be. Markey’s bill outlines a few simple rules, including not interfering with user-Internet access and not prioritizing certain Internet traffic.

Because this bill limits their power, ISPs will throw their lobbying influence at it to stop its passing. Already, they have recruited McCain, a self-proclaimed computer illiterate, to do their dirty work. He spits the traditional Republican talking points that any regulation will destroy the technology industry. Apparently, limiting corporations to providing equal service to all users would be far too restrictive. Markey’s proposed rules are not that radical. Especially when you consider that most ISPs already claim they follow them. But the time is coming when this unrestricted access could change. The proof is in television and cell phones. The have already fallen into the grips of the telecommunication business-tiered package plans. If Markey’s bill passes, it will help preserve the free and open Internet we have come to enjoy.