Net Neutrality Changes Coming Soon?
The world of Net Neutrality appears to be on the verge of getting an overhaul.
Who is for and who is against Net Neutrality? Companies who provide Internet content like Netflix and Google argue that the FCC needs the power to protect and provide for an open Internet. On the other side are companies like Comcast and AT&T who provide the bandwidth that all Internet content companies use. The bandwidth providers generally argue against Net Neutrality because they claim that the FCC’s control of the Internet is too broad, too strict and too encumbering.
So far companies like Netflix and Google have had their way, but it seems virtually certain now that this is about to change.
FCC’s new chairman, Ajit Pai , appointed by President Trump, announced on Friday that he’s curtailing the FCC’s investigation into whether companies like Verizon and AT&T are violating current Net Neutrality rules by offering their customers streaming content that does not count against customer’s monthly wireless data caps. Experts see this as the beginning of the end for Net Neutrality, at least as it has been generally interpreted.
So what’s likely to happen if the new FCC chairman and the Trump administration get their way?
Fast Lanes and Slow Lanes. Content providers like Netflix, Google, Hulu and others could, in the future, make deals with ISPs paying premiums so that ISPs guarantee optimal delivery of their content. Content in these cases meaning streaming video, music, movies, etc.
If there is a Fast Lane that implies a Slow Lane. Once the FCC allows content providers to bid for and make deals to ensure that their content can be delivered to consumers on so-called “Fast Lanes”, that implies the other lane is a Slow Lane. Smaller, less affluent companies and content providers who cannot pay for Fast Lane access, may be left in the Slow Lane. This would provide a competitive advantage to affluent companies. Smaller content provider and web companies would be less likely able to compete.
More free data offers. You can expect to see more deals like AT&T’s and Verizon’s deals that let their respective users access streaming content from from company-owned services without counting against monthly data caps imposed on wireless customers.
What about competition? Current Net Neutrality proponents claim that the rules which have been in place, ensure fair competition by leveling the playing field. In other words, less affluent content providers can compete with affluent mega content providers like Verizon and AT&T. Those who favor less regulation of the Internet, insist that competition and innovation will flourish in an environment where there are less stringent rules and guidelines, and less government control.
Over the next few months, you can expect the FCC to begin the process to adopt more business-friendly Net neutrality rules. The changes, which experts say are almost certain to be implemented, could allow ISPs to consider paying for faster content delivery. This would be the beginning of so-called Fast Lanes and Slow Lanes.
So what do you think? Will these changes be good for you, the average Internet user? What do you think?
Recently, COMCAST (AKA Xfinity) sent me an information pages telling me that finally I could select which service tier I wished to subscribe, ranging, I think like 7 increments. I don’t have the exact detail in front of me, but the lowest tier would be in the order of 100s’ of Kilobytes for “email and surfing” casually. Up to GBytes for those wishing to stream media content or downloading movies. Whereas AT&T limits Data Quantity, which I already subscribe to, Comcast wants to limit (charge for ) data speed. I suppose a bit of rancor may come into the fray when using the AT&T Personal Hot spot in conjunction with the Xfinity US Wide Hot spot (Limits on both Data, Data Content, and Data Quantity). According to the EFF, we already lost our privacy rights, similar to Wire Tapping of Cell Phones being legal, but not Wired Phones (Yet).
Appreciate your comments. We’re all just going to see how this plays out. But I agree with EFF – we started losing our privacy when computers took over everything. If you drive a car, if you pay taxes, if you have a social security number, if you own a house, if you use an internet connected device of any kind (including The Internet of Things devices), you have no privacy. We traded our privacy for “progress”. And we’re never going to get it back.
I am vehemently opposed to ANY rule that turns over control of the internet to ISP’s or any other corporation.
This fast-lane, slow-lane thing is a load of crap that would allow ISP’s to simply generate more income streams at our expense AND at the expense of websites like Cloudeight. It’s bad enough that already only the wealthiest of us can afford the “top tier” of TV viewing…and then even those are “arranged” in packages that are forced upon us.
Pretty soon internet access will be handled in the same way. Millions of websites will no longer exist at the whim of those who don’t want them to, and others will not exist because they can’t afford the “price to exist”. Freedom of Information and/or access to it is in serious trouble. Right to Privacy was gone years ago (We GAVE that away). Security is being stomped on at every turn. Freedom of Choice depends on how much money you have. Censorship, Censorship, Censorship. It disgusts me that there are so many complacent people willing to lose the rights, freedoms, and protections that were fought so hard for to obtain….some died for them.
Over the next few months, you can expect the FCC to begin the process to adopt more business-friendly Net neutrality rules. The changes, which experts say are almost certain to be implemented, could allow ISPs to consider paying for faster content delivery. This would be the beginning of so-called Fast Lanes and Slow Lanes.
I went to TV antenna like most around me, because the TV cable was so high . They did not even want to negoate until you left. My guess this is where internet is now going. Up and Up! Just a guess. I figured this was going to happen now.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/03/encryption-wont-stop-your-internet-provider-from-spying-on-you/521208/
Well, Congress has gone against us again……
“House Republicans Vote To Let Your Internet Service Provider Share Your Web History
The change could also expose your Social Security number and information pertaining to your children and health”.
http://tinyurl.com/jvjbbb9