What is net neutrality and why should it be protected?
Net neutrality is the idea that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally. Net neutrality refers to rules intended to ensure that broadband providers cannot block content or provide faster delivery to companies that pay more. The policy was put in place in the George W. Bush administration, where it enjoyed bipartisan support. In the years since, it has sheltered bloggers, nonprofit organizations like Wikipedia, smaller tech companies, TV and music streamers, and entrepreneurs from being throttled by providers like AT&T and Verizon that own the “pipes.” In 2015, the FCC implemented new net neutrality rules and re-classified broadband service as a Title II telecommunications service. In plain terms, this reclassification means that internet service providers are now under the same regulations as telephone providers, i.e. more like a utility company. There are three main components to the net neutrality rules:
· No blocking. A broadband provider can’t block lawful content, applications, services or nonharmful devices.
· No throttling. The FCC created a separate rule that prohibits broadband providers from slowing down specific applications or services, a practice known as throttling. More to the point, the FCC said providers cannot single out Internet traffic based on who sends it, where it’s going, what the content happens to be or whether that content competes with the provider’s business.
· No paid prioritization. A broadband provider cannot accept fees for favored treatment. In short, the rules prohibit Internet fast lanes.