the Informer

So when this week the FCC lost a major battle in the fight for “network neutrality,” or simply “net neutrality,” it’s a moment that has some seriously damaging implications for the future of how consumers access the Internet.

Regulating the Internet following net neutrality precedents would mean that consumers, no matter what Internet service provider they choose, should expect access to the Internet that is unfiltered, uncensored and not throttled–in other words, the ISP cannot slow down the download of certain data downloaded from one application as opposed to another (an iTunes download would download fine, but a peer-to-peer download could be throttled, for instance). 

By not implementing a fair set of standards by which ISPs are mandated to follow, it gives a lot of unwanted leeway to how they can provide service to customers.

Comcast, a major player in the debates, has been vocal against the net neutrality argument, saying that if they are operating in the free market they can offer for-pay services that won’t slow down their network as a whole. 

If you take the free market metaphor to its logical conclusion, it leads to a pretty harsh future, where Internet companies (such as search engines or video services) could pay to have their site show up faster on customer’s computers as opposed to another company that didn’t pay up. If that became a reality, smaller companies and the lowly blogger wouldn’t have a shot at getting recognized, artificially tipping the scales in the favor of the wealthy companies and those that want to pay to play. 

That’s certainly not following free market principles and in a way it’s harming the first amendment of the Constitution, as it’s not giving the marketplace of idea to everyone–just those who are willing to pay.   There’s also the need to look at certain municipalities in this country that have access to just one broadband provider–if a user didn’t like service because their download speeds are cut in half, for instance, they wouldn’t have the ability to go to another Internet service provider.     

I come from a town that gives access to three providers: Two cable Internet and one company offers fiber-optics straight to the home and DSL Internet coverage, so that would never be a problem if the company I subscribe to started to operate poorly: I could just switch. Some communities don’t have that luxury. 

Net neutrality should become a reality, there’s no doubt about it– just as regulations were implemented in the early days of broadcast and telecommunication, we need regulation to make sure every company and every person is on the same playing field on the Internet. Just offer good service at a reasonable price, and customers will pay for the service. Some companies shouldn’t be able to buy themselves a competitive advantage.