What is net neutrality?

Despite spending multiple hours on the internet on a quotidian basis, many individuals still don't understand this concept. Given the recent developments regarding the FCC's new proposal for net "neutrality", it's vital that people understand what is about to happen to the internet.

At its core, the concept is quite simple - your broadband provider, whether it's Cox, AT&T, Comcast, Charter, etc, can't selectively throttle or adjust your connection based on the websites you visit. Essentially, your ISP must treat all packets equally. If you're viewing Tigerdroppings, your ISP can't suddenly throttle (or flat out block) your connection if you start watching Youtube or Netflix. Irrespective of the website you visit, your ISP can't selectively adjust your connection.

This, unfortunately, is about to change.

quote:
The principle that all Internet content should be treated equally as it flows through cables and pipes to consumers looks all but dead.

The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday that it would propose new rules that allow companies like Disney, Google or Netflix to pay Internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon for special, faster lanes to send video and other content to their customers.

The proposed changes would affect what is known as net neutrality — the idea that no providers of legal Internet content should face discrimination in providing offerings to consumers, and that users should have equal access to see any legal content they choose. - LINK

quote:
The FCC will release a proposal soon to reinstate net neutrality rules that would allow broadband providers to negotiate with content providers for preferential treatment, an agency official confirmed Wednesday.

The FCC proposal would allow broadband providers to charge higher traffic management prices to Web services that they see as competitors, and dealing with issues on a case-by-case basis would cause confusion for Web entrepreneurs, Weinberg added. “This standard allows ISPs to impose a new price of entry for innovation on the Internet,” he said.

Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron called on the FCC to pass “real” net neutrality rules.

“With this proposal, the FCC is aiding and abetting the largest ISPs in their efforts to destroy the open Internet,” he said by email. “Giving ISPs the green light to implement pay-for-priority schemes will be a disaster for startups, nonprofits and everyday Internet users who cannot afford these unnecessary tolls. These users will all be pushed onto the Internet dirt road, while deep pocketed Internet companies enjoy the benefits of the newly created fast lanes.” - LINK

I've mentioned this before, but we've been living in the golden age of the internet, and it's about to come to an end. Censorship will become more prevalent, and the major ISPs will continue their pursuit of a tiered restructuring of the internet that effectively turns the open web into a walled garden of "channels" akin to television.