Most of you have heard the term “Net Neutrality”, but from what we can see, not many of your care. But you should. If the big Internet providers get there way, what you see, hear, and read on the Internet will be forever changed. Those who can afford to pay to use the Internet “Fast Lanes” will have their content easily and quickly accessible — while small companies, like ours, who cannot afford to pay for “Fast lanes” sites will become terribly slow and difficult to use and frustrating to view. Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon, AT&T and the other Internet Goliaths will deny that of course, because they want to see Internet Neutrality ended so they have the advantage – it really is Capitalism at work – the survival of the richest.
I understand that Net Neutrality seems like an arcane subject and difficult to understand, since all sites and all data has equal access to the fastest lanes right now. But if that ever changes, and if the big Internet companies get their way, it will — you’ll find out what Net Neutrality is the hard way.
I found this article this morning that not only explains is plain English what Net Neutrality is, but also explains the consequences of ending Net Neutrality. I hope you will take 3 or 4 minutes to read it in its entirety.
Disruptions: Paying to Travel in the Internet’s Fast Lanes
Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, which might appeal a ruling that limits how it regulates broadband providers.Daniel Rosenbaum for The New York Times Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, which might appeal a ruling that limits how it regulates broadband providers.
For a subject that sounds mind-numbingly dull, “network neutrality” is the most important issue facing the Internet since, well, the Internet.The idea behind net neutrality is that the web material we see on our laptops and smartphones, whether from Google or a tiny little blog, should flow freely through the pipes of the Internet, regardless of origin, destination or content. No one gets special treatment.
But what if someone is willing to pay for her data to go faster? This is capitalism. Can’t the people who own the pipes charge more?
The issue has come to the fore now that a federal appeals court has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission can no longer stand in the way of AT&T, Verizon and other Internet service providers that might want to create Internet express lanes.
Count on it: This battle isn’t over yet. On Friday, President Obama said the F.C.C. was considering an appeal with the goal of maintaining “a free and open Internet.”
The premise behind net neutrality goes back to the days of the telegraph. Even then, everything moved at pretty much the same speed. Since the 1970s, the F.C.C. has prevented telecommunications companies from playing favorites on long-distance telephone lines. And it’s not as if your electric company charges you one rate for the electricity to power your refrigerator and another for the electricity to use a washing machine — or offer special, high-price options to those who want power during shutdowns…
Thanks TC, I found the comment section at the end of this article interesting.
In my opinion, this is censorship on steroids. We MUST take a stand, and quickly.
My understanding is that the FCC might make it’s decision today.
This is not a US problem. The European Union is about to follow. Read THIS and sign the petition. http://www.avaaz.org/en/internet_apocalypse_loc/?bSqoQdb&v=34949
(the short URL – http://tinyurl.com/l95jgjj
AND sign this petition to the FCC, Tom Wheeler
(short URL is http://tinyurl.com/nhdoyeg
http://act.credoaction.com/sign/verizon_netneutrality?referring_akid=a138072168.2599617.ZKy1Tn&source=conf_email
I read the whole article, and agree we should all be interested in how the net neutrality debate/war pans out. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a lot we as individuals can do but ‘watch’ from the sidelines, and hope things do NOT change as far as neutral access speed to the Internet. This article has made me ‘aware’ of the issue, which is more than I could say before I read this Daily. Thank you for informing us, as always!
I would have to say about the same as Lorraine did. It’s really frightening what is happening to this great country of ours in many areas, and this is just another.
Thanks for all you do to inform and help us.
I read the whole article and care but what can I as an individual do about it?
If our government was trustworthy, I’d agree net neutrality would be a good thing. But the facts are I’d rather trust businesses to respond to my needs than the government who only wants control and doesn’t respond to me. Can you see the FCC becoming the IRS? Do you trsut the DOJ to reign them in any more than they have the IRS, the EPA? Until trust is restored, I wouldn’t give ANY government agency any power to do anything!
I am not a fan of governmnts but I will say we’ve enjoyed the equal access broadcast radio, TV, etc. has had. What if ABC was allowed to broadcast in super HD, but some smaller channel like your favorite cooking channel couldn’t afford to pay to be on the fast lane and the best you could get was fuzzy picture. Capitalism enjoys a great reputation, but sometimes we carry it a bit too far. It’s great to make as much money as you can, I guess but not at the expense of others, even though to capitalize means to capitalize. Right. So now those who have are going to beat to death those who do not. You actually prefer that to what we have now? Really?
I agree with all everyone that has been said. I read the complete article to and it is so frustrating to see our government treat us this way. My husband has said ever since the day we got married that we would be ruled by dictatorship and that is sure what is happening to our country today. Unless we have a revolt and all the American people stick together I don’t think there is very much that can be done about what is going on with our government.