Net Neutrality 101: The Basics

Net neutrality is a phrase that we’re hearing more and more these days. But what exactly is net neutrality? How does this affect the “average” Internet user? Why does it seem to be constantly in the news, and what is the U.S. government doing about it?

Net Neutrality: a simple definition

Internet or ‘Net’ Neutrality, by the simplest definition possible, means that there are no restrictions of any kind on access to content on the Web, no restrictions on downloads or uploads, and no restrictions on communication methods (email, chat, IM, etc.). It is a truly free information superhighway.

When we get on the Web, we are able to access the entire Web: that means any website, any video, any download, any email. We use the Web to communicate with others, go to school, do our jobs, and connect with people all over the world. When net neutrality governs the Web, this access is granted without any restrictions whatsoever.

Net neutrality also means that access to the internet will not be blocked, slowed down, or sped up depending on where that access is based or who owns the access point(s).  This is an especially important point, as access to the Internet is one of the key battlefronts that advocates for net neutrality continually find themselves fighting on. In essence, the core value of net neutrality is that the internet should be open and free for everyone.

Net neutrality: why it is so important

The growth of the Internet: Net neutrality is the reason that the Web has grown at such a phenomenal rate from the time it was created in 1991 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

The amazing creativity found online: Creativity, innovation, and unbridled inventiveness have given us WikipediaYouTubeGoogleI Can Has CheezburgerHuluThe Internet Movie Database, and much more.

The ability to have worldwide instant communication: Net neutrality has given us the ability to freely communicate with people on a personal basis: government leaders, business owners, celebrities, work colleagues, medical personnel, family, etc., without restrictions.

Strong net neutrality rules should be left in place to ensure all of these things exist and thrive. With Net Neutrality rules now approved for repeal by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), everyone that uses the internet could potentially lose the freedoms that we currently enjoy.

Internet “fast lanes”: what are they?

“Internet fast lanes” are essentially specialized channels that would give some companies exceptional treatment as far as broadband access and internet traffic. Many people believe that this would violate the concept of net neutrality, as this would directly affect the average consumer’s access to the Internet as we know it.

Internet fast lanes could also cause issues around preference. Basically, instead of Internet providers being required to provide the same service for all subscribers regardless of size/company/influence, they could have the chance to make deals with certain companies that would give them preferred access. This practice could potentially hamper growth, strengthen illegal monopolies, and cost the consumer dearly in the long run.

What does net neutrality look like globally?

There are countries – now including the United States – whose governments aim to or already have restricted their citizens’ access to the Web, mostly around political reasons. Check out the video below that explains how net neutrality could look like if repealed:

Could we lose net neutrality?

There is always a danger around losing net neutrality. There are many companies that have a vested interest in making sure that access to the Web is not freely available. These companies are already in charge of most of the Web’s infrastructure, and they see potential profit in making the Web “pay for play”.

This could result in restrictions on what Web users are able to search for, download, or read. Some people in the United States are even afraid that changes from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could result in a negative net neutrality ruling.

The fight for net neutrality – here’s how you can get involved

There are quite a few ways that concerned citizens can get involved in the United States to make sure that we do not lose net neutrality.

Send a letter: At Fight for the Future’s Battle for Net Neutrality site, citizens can send a letter directly to FCC and Congress.

File a document with the FCC: Citizens can also file a document into official FCC proceedings. Here are the basic instructions (note that these might change but are current at the time of this writing):

  1. Visit ECFS Express at the FCC website.
  2. Type 17-108 in the Proceeding(s) box. Press Enter to turn the number to a yellow/orange box.
  3. Type your first name and last name in the Name(s) of Filer(s) box. Press Enter to turn your name into a yellow/orange box.
  4. Fill in the rest of the form.
  5. Check the Email Confirmation box.
  6. Tap or click the Continue to review screen button.
  7. On the next page, tap or click the Submit button.

 

Net neutrality: it’s important

Net neutrality in the context of the Web is somewhat new, but the concept of neutral, publicly accessible information and transfer of that information has been around since the days of Alexander Graham Bell. For those of us who appreciate the Web, and want to preserve the freedom that this amazing invention has given us to access and exchange information, net neutrality is a core concept that we must work to maintain.

 

 

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