The last time we addressed the net neutrality saga, we were…rather distraught.
At this stage in the game, we are slightly less troubled by the Internet’s future, but troubled nonetheless.
First, let’s recap: net neutrality is the idea of free and open Internet, where all data on the Internet is treated (and charged) equally. This means that it doesn’t matter whether Internet traffic consists of email or high-definition videos—it’s all just plain old, standard Internet traffic.
In mid-January, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) managed to convince the US Court of Appeals to strike down the rules of net neutrality, thereby welcoming all Hell to break loose. Here’s what we were worried about:
1) ISPs, who already enjoy next to a monopoly in their respective service areas, now have the freedom to charge content providers for access to faster Internet lanes.
2) High fees for fast lanes will translate into slower services for those who can’t afford to pay (non-profits, small businesses, and so on). Would you, as a consumer, have the patience to wait for the sake of competition?
3) Consumers will very likely see a decrease in start-up services (Land of Opportunity, eh?), and could (less likely) be passed the burden of payment to access services at higher speeds.
So, where are we now?
Despite the FCC’s apparent commitment to Internet freedom in February, April ushered forth claims that the Commission was actually working to create rules to allow big providers like Netflix to purchase special traffic lanes in exchange for fast and steady connections.
Enter: concerns 1 through 3.
The FCC’s Chairman Tom Wheeler, of course, still uses words that are supposed to convey a commitment to fairness and competition, but with the sheer amount of money involved in this upheaval we aren’t exactly convinced.
If you feel this same unease, there’s a bit of good news: the FCC wants (well, “wants”) to know about it.
That’s right—the FCC is asking the children of the Internet to share their comments on the question of open Internet at http://www.FCC.gov/comments.
Let ‘er rip.