Over the past several weeks, you’ve likely heard about the importance of net neutrality and the impending vote that will overturn these Obama-era regulations. Those in favor of overturning the rules think that this vote will increase investments into internet based companies and technologies, but those in favor of net neutrality think that the future of the internet as we know it is greatly at risk. This upcoming FCC vote on net neutrality is getting a lot of publicity for good reason.
Net neutrality describes a set of principles and rules that are designed to treat all internet companies and content providers equally. These net neutrality rules took effect during Obama’s presidency, but many opponents have argued that it’s time to dismantle these rules. Some have described these net neutrality rules as providing for an “open” internet free from bias, restrictions and unfair business practices. On the other end of the spectrum, these same rules have been called “heavy-handed, utility-style regulations upon the internet,” which stifles competition.
Ultimately, these set of rules in question include a provision that prohibited internet service providers from blocking content or giving preference to certain providers. States are also barred from making any internet laws or regulations that may conflict with FCC regulations. These rules bar companies like Verizon or Comcast from treating certain video streaming services differently than others.
While some argue that ending net neutrality will restore freedom, others argue that it will greatly restrict it. If net neutrality ends, then individuals will no longer be guaranteed the same speed for all videos and websites that they access. Internet service providers, rather than your actual internet connection, will ultimately decide which websites or content creators will experience better connection speeds. Someone utilizing Comcast, for example, may be able to quickly download a specific video while Hughes Net’s customers may have trouble accessing the site completely.
The only stipulation without net neutrality rules in place would be that internet service providers would have to be transparent about their practices. The end of net neutrality will most likely mean increased prices for faster internet speeds.
Those against the FCC’s plan to end net neutrality rules argue that such action will inevitably hurt small internet businesses. Most opponents fear that a slashing of these net neutrality rules is equivalent to preferential treatment of mega-corporations that already hold a virtual monopoly on internet services. It’s not surprising that congressional Democrats, internet-based companies and consumer interest groups are united against ending these rules, but it may surprise some that large companies like Facebook and Netflix are also opposed. While these companies are large now, they would not have been able to reach the levels of success they have today if the net neutrality rules were not in place the past several years.
Opponents believe that repealing these rules will likely lead to a two-tiered internet where customers will be forced into paying more money for higher speeds and less profitable websites will suffer with slower access. Online content, they argue, could potentially be controlled by a few mega-corporations. In a similar way that a handful of corporations completely rule over the media industry, the internet is likely to suffer the same fate without neutrality rules. While such a future is highly speculative, it is not out of the realm of possibilities if net neutrality rules are overturned and new restrictions are not put into place.
Advocates for ending Obama-era net neutrality regulations argue that these rules have “micromanaged innovate business models,” and suppressed internet service providers. Additionally, they argue that net neutrality rules offer a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and never existed. Before these rules were adopted, internet service providers were not blocking websites or throttling any specific traffic streams. There were no systematic issues related to internet service providers. Netflix complained about quality issues in 2013, but these claims have since been discredited. The rules have caused a decline in investment in internet infrastructure that have reduced the internet experience for everyone.
Consumer reports indicate that around 57 percent of Americans support net neutrality rules. Despite public support for net neutrality, it isn’t enough to stop the repeal of these regulations. The FCC vote is set to take place on December 14th of this year, and it seems that those against net neutrality rules are likely to prevail.
