Introduction
Net neutrality is the concept that believes the internet should be open and accessible to the public and allow people to collect the data they want. In order to accomplish this, internet service providers must treat all information and data the same. Net neutrality argues that internet service providers shouldn’t be able to choose what information is important and what information should be able to access faster. In addition, these internet service providers shouldn’t have the power to slow down certain services to encourage you to access other services. [4] On the other hand, others believe that net neutrality will limit companies’ ability to grow and isn’t the most efficient way to be using the internet. This current type of internet that creates ‘fast lanes’ and blocks certain providers allows companies to thrive and consumers to access what they are looking for. [3] This concept of net neutrality has been debated since 2003 and is still a controversial topic today.
History
The concept of net neutrality was born in an article written by Tim Wu, a Columbia University law professor. He wanted to reframe the way we access information and was frustrated with the lack of raw accessible data. This article emphasized on how broadband networks hold power over the internet and don’t allow online users to go to specific networks. [1] “Wu worried that broadband provider’s tendency to restrict new technologies would hurt innovation in the long term, and called for anti-discrimination rules.” (wired.com) When President Bush was in office, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a legal approach to stop broadband companies from having the power to limit user access to specific websites and slow down connections. In 2008, Comcast sued the FCC for created these legal regulations. The FCC was found guilty because they overstepped their boundaries and did not have the authority to do this. When Obama was president, the FCC also tried to pass another law supporting net neutrality. In 2014, Verizon sued the FCC with the claim that they had no authority to put these regulations in place. After the FCC received a lot of support from the public about net neutrality, the FCC re-evaluated and reclassified broadband companies at Title II carriers. This time, the same federal court agreed with the FCC. Now that President Trump is in office, there is a new FCC commissioner who reversed the 2015 net neutrality order. [1] It is clear that there are many different perspectives and views on net neutrality and how it should be carried in the law.
My Opinion
After reading three articles and watching one video on net neutrality and the different perspectives of it, I personally believe in the concept of net neutrality. I think there should be laws put in place to regulate the internet service providers and put a cap on what they are capable of doing. I think it is absurd how internet service providers can slow down certain networks, can choose what information is important to easily access, and to create ‘fast lanes’ for specific broadband. According to mashable.com, 76% of Americans support net neutrality. [2] If more than half of the population feels the same way as I do, I believe there should be something done about it. No matter how much money or power you have, net neutrality allows anyone to share their story through the internet. Now that I am educated on this concept, I am prepared to support what I believe in.
Opposite Opinion
There are two sides to every argument and it is important to understand why the opposite side believes what they do. I went to the primary source to gather this information, the Federal Communications Commission website. [3] The current commissioner, Ajit Pai, had several statements regarding his views against net neutrality. He believes that the internet is a place for people to quickly connect with information and for small start-up companies to flourish. When the FCC under President Bush put internet regulation in place, Pai argues that “the internet wasn’t broken in 2015, these rules were a solution in search of a problem.” The main flaw Pai saw with the regulated internet in 2015 were that smaller broadband companies struggled to share their services because they had to invest all their money in lawyers to fight against these regulations. Also, these regulations made it difficult for the consumers to access the internet according to Pai. When the current FCC got rid of the 2015 internet regulation, they generated a framework to follow in order to help satisfy all consumers. The first aspect is consumer protection. The Federal Trade Commission will monitor internet service providers and make sure they follow all rules. The second aspect is these Internet Service providers must be transparent about their practices and clearly state their management procedures. Finally, all internet service providers must remove unnecessary regulations. This is to encourage broadband investments. Pai claims that during 2015 when strict internet regulations were in place, broadband network investment declined and were limited due to the lack of high-speed networks. Overall, Pai disagrees with prior FCC commissioners and didn’t hesitate to get rid of the regulations passed in 2015 when he was appointed.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
“I strongly believe in a free and open Internet. Our rules will ensure that we have a free and open Internet, and Americans will have access to better, faster, and cheaper broadband.”
Conclusion
The internet is involved in our daily lives whether it is doing research for a class, reading the news online, or even being on social media. Therefore, the way the internet is regulated and accessed is very important. After reading Ajit Pai’s statement about why net neutrality isn’t the most efficient way to use the internet, I can understand his thoughts from a business perspective. His job within the FCC is to help grow the economy and have consumers buy products. But since I am not a part of the government or in a business, I believe net neutrality is important for me, the consumer, to be able to freely gather information. This topic of net neutrality is very controversial and currently has no definite answer. Personally, I do not know the answer in order to satisfy everyone. All I can do as a consumer is to be educated about the topic and support net neutrality to the best of my ability.
Citations
[1] Finley, Klint. “The Wired Guide to Net Neutrality.” https://www.wired.com/story/guide-net-neutrality/.
[2] “How Killing Net Neutrality Will Hurt Online Protests and Free Speech.” https://mashable.com/2017/12/07/net-neutrality-digital-activism-free-speech/?europe=true.
[3] “Restoring Internet Freedom.” https://www.fcc.gov/restoring-internet-freedom.
[4] “Tim Berners-Lee: The next Web of Open, Linked Data.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM6XIICm_qo.
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