The theory that internet service providers should be fair to all was dealt a harsh blow last week as the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order.
"Net neutrality" is the concept that internet data should be treated equally, regardless of content or creator. The FCC passed a new order titled "Restoring Internet Freedom," which removes the FCC as the regulator of the broadband industry. Regulation of the industry now is based on an honor system overseen by the Federal Trade Commission, which is hardly equipped to handle the job.
Those who favor net neutrality see internet service largely like a utility, from which all people should benefit.
The FCC changed the law because there's money to be made. Companies that provide internet service are in favor of the new rules.
Opponents of the changes include consumer interests, who see interference in net neutrality as an eventual bottleneck for free speech. The industry that provides internet service says that net neutrality has allowed businesses that provide television, movies, data, images, etc., over broadband to profit from consumers while using networks they didn't pay to create. The industry providing the internet believes broadband-based businesses are overprotected from having to pay fair amounts for the costs involved in providing broadband networks.
"Restoring Internet Freedom" will allow businesses providing broadband to charge more for it. They could choose to whom they will be providing broadband. In other words, there will not be equal access.
Companies who have already gotten into broadband are at an advantage, because they are making enough money to pay for additional costs for broadband. However, the internet has been about innovation, and net neutrality has protected innovation. Without oversight, opponents to the new order say innovation will suffer.
The ultimate fear is lack of oversight will lead to control over what people are allowed to see using broadband. Internet providers may stifle certain types of programming that they don't support or that can't afford to pay arbitrary extra costs. Broadband companies could hurt their smaller competitors - or competitors of businesses owned by a parent company - by not giving them fair access to consumers. Without strong net neutrality, citizens could be the victim of censorship on the part of industry.
The FTC is going to have a huge job ahead of it being the guardian of the net neutrality honor system. People would like to think that industry will do what's right and not take advantage of the situation. Such honor systems in the past have led to monopolies and actions that aren't in the interests of the citizenry.
The FCC's vote will bring with it many changes in what people may eventually be able to access on broadband and what they will have to pay for it.
"Net neutrality" is the concept that internet data should be treated equally, regardless of content or creator. The FCC passed a new order titled "Restoring Internet Freedom," which removes the FCC as the regulator of the broadband industry. Regulation of the industry now is based on an honor system overseen by the Federal Trade Commission, which is hardly equipped to handle the job.
Those who favor net neutrality see internet service largely like a utility, from which all people should benefit.
The FCC changed the law because there's money to be made. Companies that provide internet service are in favor of the new rules.
Opponents of the changes include consumer interests, who see interference in net neutrality as an eventual bottleneck for free speech. The industry that provides internet service says that net neutrality has allowed businesses that provide television, movies, data, images, etc., over broadband to profit from consumers while using networks they didn't pay to create. The industry providing the internet believes broadband-based businesses are overprotected from having to pay fair amounts for the costs involved in providing broadband networks.
"Restoring Internet Freedom" will allow businesses providing broadband to charge more for it. They could choose to whom they will be providing broadband. In other words, there will not be equal access.
Companies who have already gotten into broadband are at an advantage, because they are making enough money to pay for additional costs for broadband. However, the internet has been about innovation, and net neutrality has protected innovation. Without oversight, opponents to the new order say innovation will suffer.
The ultimate fear is lack of oversight will lead to control over what people are allowed to see using broadband. Internet providers may stifle certain types of programming that they don't support or that can't afford to pay arbitrary extra costs. Broadband companies could hurt their smaller competitors - or competitors of businesses owned by a parent company - by not giving them fair access to consumers. Without strong net neutrality, citizens could be the victim of censorship on the part of industry.
The FTC is going to have a huge job ahead of it being the guardian of the net neutrality honor system. People would like to think that industry will do what's right and not take advantage of the situation. Such honor systems in the past have led to monopolies and actions that aren't in the interests of the citizenry.
The FCC's vote will bring with it many changes in what people may eventually be able to access on broadband and what they will have to pay for it.
