politics

WASHINGTON - Sen. Al Franken traveled to the austere halls of Georgetown University on Monday to fervently endorse federal regulation of Internet service providers in a speech that highlighted both his humor and interest in tech policy.

Speaking to a room of musicians and technology wonks at the Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit, Franken offered a keynote address on "Net neutrality" -- the idea that people should have equal access to the Internet, rather than allowing some organizations preferential treatment.

He warned that ISPs want to give faster network capabilities to some organizations, potentially transforming the Internet into a "pay for play arena." This could effectively limit the free speech of average Web users, whose sites would load slower, he said.

"As far as I'm concerned, free speech limited or free speech delayed are the same as free speech denied," Franken said.

Preferential treatment could also harm online entrepreneurship, Franken said, noting how YouTube was able to replace Google Video because it was a superior service and there was a level playing field.

"What's at stake here isn't just what could be taken away," Franken said. "It's what could never be created in the first place."

Opponents have said that new Net neutrality regulations could discourage broadband providers from investing in their networks and that consumers would suffer if providers couldn't manage traffic on their networks to ensure efficient service.

While the forum's topic was a serious one, Franken leavened his remarks with flashes of a wit he has kept mostly under wraps his first few months in Washington. He started by poking fun at Mike Mills, the bassist of the 30-year-old band R.E.M., who had introduced him moments earlier.

"I love how the Future of Music Coalition gives exposure to new artists like Mike," Franken said to a roar of laughter from the crowd. "I've had my eye on these guys R.E.M. And you watch out, they are going to take off. They're out of this whole Athens, Georgia, scene. Look out for some young kids called the B-52s. Maybe, Mike, you should have them here next year -- at the Future of Music Coalition."

Standing beneath intricately painted religious portraits on the gilded walls of Gaston Hall, the senator sarcastically thanked the Future of Music Coalition for holding the event in "such a futuristic looking room."

He repeatedly targeted former Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who once famously described the Internet as "a series of tubes."

Those remarks, he said, "illustrated why some members of Congress might not be the right people to answer that [net neutrality] question," Franken joked. He said that members of Congress are ready to ensure this is done right "even though Senator Stevens is not here to lend us his 'tube' expertise."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Eric Roper • 202-408-2723