AICC takes on net neutrality, dropped signals

CSAA recently posted on its site about the matter of net neutrality, as well as sending out a message from Alarm Industry Communications Committee chair Lou Fiore concerning the topic. Capitol Hill has�various items up for consideration on net neutrality, according to Fiore.

“Our goal at this point is simply to let Congress know we are here again and what our needs are as primarily small businesses. At some point legislation will move forward, probably as a rewrite of the Telecommunications Act, and we want to ensure we are not forgotten,” Fiore said in the message.

Net neutrality is the concept that all Internet traffic should be treated the same by Internet service providers. This has been an ongoing issue for the security industry and carries with it serious implications.

“Our primary concern is that broadband and wireless network providers are increasingly offering services that compete with us in providing home and business security services. Without some protection for smaller players, these network providers will have an incentive to favor their own security services and 'throttle' or 'block' our emergency signals in order to gain a competitive advantage,” CSAA said on its site.

CSAA also provides a letter template to be sent to key members of Congress, along with contact information for these key people. CSAA urges its members to contact their local congressperson by Feb. 26, and to emphasize the personal aspect of their company's situation in this issue.

The association has also posted other stances the industry has taken on this issue, as well as a portion of the 1996 telecommunications act, on its site.

In addition to this push towards net neutrality, AICC announced today the start researching the matter of dropped signals from digital alarm communications transmitters. This will be done through a survey also available on CSAA's site.

According to a recent press release from CSAA, findings from this effort will be made available at the next AICC meetings in March and June of 2015.