Net Neutrality : What Is It

The internet is a resource with ever expanding content and applications for everyone to use however, net neutrality rules on the free use of internet remains a debated topic. The “Point/Counterpoint: Network Neutrality Nuances” presents Barbara van Schewick’s supportive argument on the applications of net neutrality rules, and the consequences of failing to do so. Schewick’s engaging justifications are well researched with arguments containing significant amounts of examples, strong and simplistic diction to reach her audience, and clean and smooth transitions to move between ideas.

These pro Net Neutrality opinions, however, changed as the FCC replaced two members and ultimately voted to repeal Net Neutrality regulations. When the FCC voted to pass the 2015 Open Internet Order, they did so with a 3-2 vote supported by Tom Wheeler, the FCC’s Chairman, Jessica Rosenworcel, and Mignon Clyburn (Selykh). The opposition, Republicans Michael O’Rielly and Ajit Pai, “warned that the FCC was overstepping its authority,” and “solv[ing] a problem that doesn’t exist,” (Selykh). When The FCC later repealed Net Neutrality, Pai had replaced Wheeler as Chairman, and Brendan Carr filled the empty space left behind the wake of Pai’s transition while the other Commissioners stayed (“Leadership”). As a result, the three Republicans, Pai, O’Rielly, and Carr, outnumbered and outvoted the two

Scott Cleland from Net Competition said that net neutrality legislations “mean less privacy for all Americans, as Net neutrality would require more government monitoring and surveillance of Internet traffic” (qtd. from “Net Neutrality”). But what is he talking about anyway? Net neutrality, or the separation between internet service providers (ISP’s) and the content being retrieved through their networks, is an extremely hot topic nowadays. The ideals of net neutrality can be compared to the way you would use electricity in your home. You do not pay your power company a “toaster fee” just so you can plug in your toaster, or a “light bulb fee” just so you can turn on your lights (Gordon; Ammori). Similarly, net neutrality states that ISP’s

At the end of December in 2017 the big subject was about Net Neutrality and whether or not the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be able to repeal it or not. The FCC is an independent branch of the US government and if they repealed Net Neutrality, they and big 'name brand' service providers would be able to charge the American body for internet and would be able to completely monitor and slow certain sites. When confronted about much of the backlash from the public about the repeal, Ajit Pai (the chairmen of the FCC) claimed that 7.5 million of the complaints he received were from a single scammer.

Cable companies were attempting to remove net neutrality to discriminate against certain websites and content, bandwidth throttle speeds via a “fast” lane, and be able to charge a premium price for certain websites and content using the “hyper-speed” lane, which would essentially be the original lane. This topic affects all internet users in the United States; however, it is not a well-known topic due to the fact that the topic in general is not as captivating as other news. John Oliver mentioned, “If [the cable companies] want to do something evil, put it inside something boring (Oliver, “Net Neutrality: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO).” Since the topic of net neutrality is a topic that is considered as dull, only a handful of people are informed about this topic. John Oliver understands that most people would not retain any knowledge presented to them in regards to net neutrality, which is the reason why John Oliver has also incorporated a plethora of jokes to hold the audience’s attention. Nevertheless, John Oliver was able to change this topic into something entertaining for the audience, informed about some facts and his views of net neutrality, and encouraged and compelled thousands of people to voice their opinions to the FCC in regards to

Net-neutrality became a big topic of debate in the United States last year. Net-neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISP’s) should be giving access to all web traffic equally, without blocking access or favouring certain websites. In the first quarter of 2014, the FCC began to propose rules that would allow ISP’s to have control over their consumers access, basically going against net-neutrality. After being ruled out, ISP’s pleaded for the court to reappeal the case, which ended up ruling in favour of the rules by the FCC. This issue is interesting to look at for the ways in which the media reports it, because the majority of people are for equally accessed web traffic, but the media needs

"The government has no right monitor our internet use and social media accounts. Net neutrality is “The principle that the internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites” . If Net neutrality is repealed ten internet providers will be able to limit our access to things. Net neutrality lets people express their voices online . Sources that we once had for free would have to be paid for like Youtube, instagram and many more.

The biggest concern is that the internet will become pay-to-play technology with two tiers: one that has speedy service and one that doesn’t. The high-speed lane would be occupied by big internet and media companies, and affluent households. For everyone else there would be the slow lane.

Net neutrality is a principle that has defended American citizens from internet service providers such as AT&T and Verizon from corrupting individuals internet access. For instance, the principle prevents the speeding up, slowing down or the blockage of any content in applications or websites and charging customers extra fees for high-speed internet. However, that principle is currently being discussed by the F.C.C. whether to repeal Net Neutrality or continue with the principle. The F.C.C. chairman, Ajit Pai proposed the idea and while big internet services such as the ones mentioned agree with the removal of net neutrality since it will give them more leverage over the income they will receive. Yet, others such as Google, Facebook and Amazon

What is net neutrality and how does it affect us? Net Neutrality is basically freedom of open internet from internet providers. This means they can’t block certain websites or slow down your connection. Now, the current issue is the FCC is trying to remove this right ever since it was adopted ten years ago. Without Net Neutrality, cable and phone companies could charge more for slower speeds than you’re paying for now.

With the recent events of the Net Neutrality rule being reformed I feel that I should bring this issue to your attention. I want to address how the repeal of net neutrality can impact the world around us and the effects it can have on someone such as myself. As a youth in today's society the internet has become a large part of my life. I am currently enrolled in online high school and the repeal of net neutrality can affect my education. It is also what I use to stay up to date with friends, family, and social events happening around the world. This issue is very important to me because of how it can have a negative impact on my life. For starters you should know that I am currently a freshman at Mountain Heights Academy (MHA). MHA is an online

The internet is an immense part of everyone’s lives, whether it’s used for work, school, or entertainment and it’s at risk. The federal communications commission (FCC) is planning to end net neutrality, which is a big deal. Net neutrality or open internet is the principle of having free, equal access to the internet, without having to pay or have internet service providers blocking and slowing down websites. For many years, people have been fighting to keep the internet free, and big companies and the FCC have been fighting back. Fighting to keep net neutrality has never been more important than now because the vote to end net neutrality is on December. 14. Fighting to keep net neutrality is important because it allows free access to information, free speech and thought, and it helps businesses.

Throughout the last decade, the idea of Net Neutrality has been the topic of many debates. Net Neutrality is the idea that Internet service providers should not be allowed to block their users from any content regardless of its source. The Debate is still continuing in 2017 with the F.C.C planning to repeal Net Neutrality and allow internet providers to completely regulate what their users can see and charge the users extra for “luxuries” such as social media, messaging, email, and music. There are two sides of this argument, one side believes that Net Neutrality should be taken away, while others believe that it is unfair for the Internet providers to have the right to take away the access to any content. Internet providers should not be allowed to control what content one can view when surfing the internet.

Since the invention of the Internet, there has been an idea among the creators that information that was transmitted, would be treated fairly and equally. In the United States (U.S.), the debate goes on for Internet communications services that “must remain open for commerce, innovation, speech, consumers, innovations by application developers, content companies, expansion, and investment by broadband developers” (Friedlander 924). Since the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) 2015 Open Internet Order, net neutrality has come under multiple threats and is in more danger than ever. Without net neutrality, Internet service providers (ISP’s) may continue to discriminate against specific online services or websites. This paper first describes the net neutrality background, then the potential impacts on education and minority communities, and finally the most recent debates

Tim Berners-Lee said “Freedom of connection with any application to any party is the fundamental social basis of the internet. And now, is the basis of the society built on the internet.” Net Neutrality has been around since the beginning of internet. It is the reason the internet is open and free for anyone to use without, blocking, degradation, and discrimination. It has been the main driving force for up and coming artists, new small businesses, and people with fresh and great ideas. It has made the internet effortless and accessible without charging outrageous fees for a faster lane or having to ask for permission to use visuals, video, or audio. It