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In the ongoing net neutrality debate regarding future FCC (News - Alert) policy on the topic, there has been a lot of confusion over definitions, which has added to the general confusion created by the complex topic. Defining what “open Internet” actually means is one of the first hurdles open Internet activists need to leap over.

A collection of business and Internet technology leaders and activists attempted to bring some clarity to the issue (and, more important, to the FCC) last night by issuing a statement encouraging the FCC to expand its recent analysis of open Internet policies. The statement, entitled “Comments on Advancing Open Internet Policy Through Analysis Distinguishing Open Internet from Specialized Network Services,” was signed by a collection of individuals who identify themselves as “advocates of diverse policy approaches to preserving an open Internet.” Signatories include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; John Furrier, founding editor of SiliconANGLE.com; telecom analyst Bob Frankston; Internet business researchers from MIT (News - Alert), Columbia and Harvard; and a collection of open Internet activists.

In the statement, the coalition commended the FCC's recent request for input on “Two Underdeveloped Issues in the Open Internet Proceeding” for its making possible greater recognition of the nature and benefits of the open Internet – in particular, as compared to “specialized services.” The coalition's statement was issued in response to an FCC request for input on the topic, and their submission was intended to illustrate how this distinction between Open Internet and specialized services dispels misconceptions and helps bring about more constructive insight and understanding in the policy debate over net neutrality.

Signatory David Reed, a network and computer architecture expert, emphasized some of the statement's points in a special blog posting. “It is historic and critical [to] finally recognize the existence of 'the Open Internet' as a living entity that is distinct from all of the services and the Bureaus, all of the underlying technologies, and all of the services into which the FCC historically has partitioned little fiefdoms of control,” wrote Reed.

Signatory John Furrier of SiliconANGLE also publicized the statement, emphasizing that, “the future Internet needs to remain open in order to preserve entrepreneurship and innovation.” (The full blog post is here.

The complete statement issued by the coalition may be viewed here.