I looked up definitions for “common carrier.” One definition seemed to exactly describe how the Internet is used, except it refers to phone companies. That definition is “Communications: Company that offers communication services to general public over land wire, sea cable, mobile.”
I cannot fathom how Internet service would not be a communication service. I send and receive messages with it every day using email, chat, video conference, etc. Plus institutions and businesses that have information I need access to have websites that allow them to communicate with me on an ad hoc, as-needed, basis.
From governments, I get services online or forms to perform services. From schools, I get information about the annual calendar, and more immediate information like weather cancellations and delays. From businesses, I get access to product catalogs, product manuals, technical support, etc. And from insurers and medical providers, I get access to policy and claim information, case information, appointment scheduling and other things.
This is all communication. Before general availability of the Internet, this sort of thing was often done by phone. Phone companies are common carriers. The way to get the information has changed, but the service to get it is still performing the same function. It is functioning as a common carrier so anyone can exchange information with anyone.
Correct the classification of Internet services and recognize that it is a common carrier service.
Alan Boba, Red Hook