The issue with Net Neutrality for me when the issue was first being discussed was trying to understand exactly what the problem was. In short, Net Neutrality is a standard (that we have today) that requires Internet backbones and providers to provide equal access to all users. Media companies as well as broadband providers have an interest and a desire to start placing “tolls” to gain the fastest speed between their networks. The FCC has opened up the public commentary period before they issue a final decision as to whether they will protect Net Neutrality or let corporations decide who can access their content.
John Oliver explains Net Neutrality perfectly in this and has a pretty compelling call to action.
The real-world impact on abandoning Net Neutrality would be all of the following:
- Video providers (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) would have to pay substantial costs to deliver the same video quality.
- Consumers would pay additional costs to consume content … artificially.
- Entrepreneurs and new content providers would have a strategic disadvantage going to market if they didn’t pay the additional “peering” fees.
- Broadband speeds would be artificially slower, while rates and revenues to providers continues to rise.
You can learn more about this issue on Save The Internet. Leave your comments about how you feel about the issue on FCC.gov/comments.
