Net Neutrality means that there are no restrictions on access to content on the Web, no restrictions on downloads or uploads, and no restrictions on communication methods (email, chat, IM, etc.) It also means that access will not be blocked, slowed down, or sped up depending on where that access is based or who owns the access point(s). We use the Web to communicate with others, go to school, do our jobs, and connect with people all over the world. Because of the freedom that governs the Web, this access is granted without any restrictions whatsoever.
http://websearch.about.com/od/searchingtheweb/p/net-neutrality.htm
The consequences of a world without Net Neutrality would be devastating. Innovation would be stifled, competition limited, and access to information restricted. Consumer choice and the free market would be sacrificed to the interests of a few corporate executives.
On the Internet, consumers are in ultimate control — deciding between content, applications and services available anywhere, no matter who owns the network. There's no middleman. But without Net Neutrality, the Internet will look more like cable TV. Network owners will decide which channels, content and applications are available; consumers will have to choose from their menu.
The free and open Internet brings with it the revolutionary possibility that any Internet site could have the reach of a TV or radio station. The loss of Net Neutrality would end this unparalleled opportunity for freedom of expression.
The Internet has always been driven by innovation. Web sites and services succeeded or failed on their own merit. Without Net Neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms. The choice we face now is whether we can choose the content and services we want, or whether the broadband barons will choose for us.
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Net neutrality suffers a crushing blow
- Got an iPad? Like watching wireless video? What if your Internet provider could charge you for watching video wirelessly or told you there were only certain times of day you could do it?
- The FCC is now going to have to re-evaluate the true meaning of net neutrality. Does it mean that there should be strict regulations on Internet use, like in the telephone industry?
- This ruling could possibly open the doors to different levels of Internet access depending on what you want to pay for, similar to a cable TV package.
- Your favorite video sites, search sites, portals, etc. could have to start paying some pretty hefty fees just to be on the Web.
- Depending on where you're located and which network you're using (this is a hypothetical situation), anything you send over the Internet might have to be re-routed for more efficient processing, which means slower transmit times.
- If your ISP decides to block Web sites, portals, search engines, other ISP's, it can. And you will have to put up with it.
http://websearch.about.com/b/2010/04/07/net-neutrality-suffers-a-crushing-blow.htm
With demands on Level 3, Comcast ups its fight with Netflix
The battle between the video giants -- one cable, one streaming -- moves from the screen to the fiber.
In a press release November 30, 2010, Level 3 laid out the issue at hand. Comcast made Level 3 "an offer it couldn't refuse." Either pay up or Comcast would block its services.
"On November 19, 2010, Comcast informed Level 3 that, for the first time, it will demand a recurring fee from Level 3 to transmit Internet online movies and other content to Comcast's customers who request such content. By taking this action, Comcast is effectively putting up a toll booth at the borders of its broadband Internet access network, enabling it to unilaterally decide how much to charge for content which competes with its own cable TV and Xfinity delivered content. This action by Comcast threatens the open Internet and is a clear abuse of the dominant control that Comcast exerts in broadband access markets as the nation's largest cable provider.
This sets a scary precedent. If Comcast can charge an extra fee to Level 3 for hosting Netflix content, it could (and probably will at some point) charge Google to stream YouTube movies or Apple to broadcast iTunes content. Because Comcast owns the last mile, they hold the keys.
What does this mean for consumers?
This particular action by Comcast will probably reach customers in the form of increased rates for Netflix customers. Netflix has to pay more for Level 3's services so the gouging is passed to consumers.
Ironically, this move comes on the very week that President Obama's FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce whether he'll fulfill Obama's promise to protect the open Internet and Net Neutrality -- which would prevent this type of corporate abuse.
For its part, Comcast claims that it is now carrying a significant amount more of Level 3's traffic without any additional compensation. Previously, Comcast had a deal with Netflix's content delivery network, Akami to share the costs of delivering the content. Now that Netflix went to Level 3, it will no longer see that revenue.
"Level 3 has misportrayed the commercial negotiations between it and Comcast," Joe Waz, Comcast's senior vice president for external affairs, said in a statement. "This has nothing to do with Level 3's desire to distribute different types of network traffic. Comcast has long established and mutually acceptable commercial arrangements with Level 3's content delivery network competitors in delivering the same types of traffic to our customers."
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/30/now-showing-comcast-previews-a-world-without-net-neutrality/
If Congress turns the Internet over to the telecom giants, everyone who uses the Internet will be affected. Connecting to your office could take longer if you don't purchase your carrier's preferred applications. Sending family photos and videos could slow to a crawl. Web pages you always use for online banking, access to health care information, planning a trip, or communicating with friends and family could fall victim to pay-for-speed schemes.
Independent voices and political groups are especially vulnerable. Costs will skyrocket to post and share video and audio clips, silencing bloggers and amplifying the voices of the big media companies. Political organizing could be slowed by the handful of dominant Internet providers that ask advocacy groups or candidates to pay to join the "fast lane."
http://www.savetheinternet.com/faq
The Internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity, it is the future of communications, and we need to keep it open, accessible and affordable for everyone. More and more people are turning to the Internet for news and information, communication with friends and family, to search and apply for employment and for entertainment. It’s become a great platform for small business development and growth. If Internet service providers are allowed to control our online experience once we log on, they could decide to prioritize their sites, services and applications over those of competitors.
http://campusprogress.org/articles/the_future_of_the_internet_depends_on_good_public_policy/
So, what can we do and how do we do it?
Tell the FCC what you think by standing up for net neutrality. Sign the petition to stop Comcast from blocking Netflix IP traffic.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/comcast_netflix/?rc=tw1
• Join a coalition of supporters, such as http://www.savetheinternet.com/
• Call or write state and congressional leaders and explain why they should endorse net neutrality
• Sign petitions directed to Congressional leaders in support of the Internet Freedom Preservation Act
• Spread the word by e-mail/Twitter/Facebook
• Donate money to organizations lobbying for the open Internet
• Support new FCC rules that will ensure net neutrality for all Internet users and businesses at http://www.openinternet.gov/
Tim Wu talks about net neutrality and why it matters.
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/09/24/tim-wu-on-net-neutra.html
