Whether we should keep net neutrality or not is a controversial issue that is prevalent in the world today. “Net neutrality is the idea that internet providers should allow consumers and businesses to have equal and open access to any online content without favoring certain websites or applications over others.” Some people want to get rid of net neutrality so they can profit more off the internet and save the high speeds and connections for those who can afford to pay for it. Those who can’t afford to pay for it will get worse internet. For example, Netflix is a leader in online streaming content, thus with the removal of net neutrality, Netflix will be forced to pay a premium so their content is favored. This costs Netflix more money, which then will cost consumers of Netflix more money.
If net neutrality is abolished, big companies like AT&T and Verizon will slow down your network so streaming Netflix onto your laptop would be essentially unwatchable due to extremely slow speeds and buffering. “Defenders contend that, without such rules, those companies could exert nefarious powers.” These large companies want the death of net neutrality because as they enter into the world of content creation, these throttled streaming services will push consumers into their hands, essentially owning internet users at a price that they see fit. Middle class and low income members of society will be forced to deal with slow speeds and bad access because they may not have the means to pay for the higher speed services that the upper class will have no problem affording. This capitalistic take on the internet is detrimental to the idea of the internet when it was first created.
The internet was founded as an open, public forum, that showed no bias to any user. Proponents of net neutrality argue that abolishing what the internet was founded on is bad for society, but more importantly down right wrong. Getting rid of net neutrality would basically give upper class people more power in society, which isn’t fair because it should be a level playing field. Even though this is a capitalistic society the internet should be easily accessible for all, even some telecommunications experts claim that in today’s day in age, the internet is a human right. Many people’s only way they receive news, entertainment, and important information is via the internet, hence why net neutrality is so important.
Some argue that the removal of net neutrality would be good for society. “Democratic policy makers assert the threat of regulation is needed to keep the telecoms in check. Without it, quasi-monopolists can raise prices, extort companies trying to reach their customers, and create anti-competitive internet “bundles” similar to cable TV. Republicans argue the market needs to operate more freely so companies can innovate. Regulators such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will catch abuses of voluntary net neutrality principles as they arise, they say.” Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the world wide web, has a very intriguing take on the issue…
I believe Tim Berners-Lee’s stance is entirely valid. In my opinion, Net Neutrality should not be removed from society. On this issue I agree entirely with democratic policy makers. The telecommunications industry today is an oligopoly with extreme barriers to entry. Giving these large companies more control of the market and allowing them to extort the public’s best interest goes against everything the internet stands for. The idea that innovation is suppressed due to net neutrality is an extremely vague and weak claim in my opinion. I don’t think favoring an open forum to the highest bidder is good for anyone, especially the public. I believe a bi-partisan compromise would be best, one that keeps the essentials of net neutrality intact, and perhaps gives monetary innovation incentives to large corporations so the republicans are happy as well.
Citations
- []. (n.d.). Net Neutrality: Both Sides of a Heated Debate. Retrieved from http://www.govtech.com/network/Net-Neutrality-Both-Sides-of-a-Heated-Debate.html
2.. Rice, A. (2018, June 07). This Is Ajit Pai, Nemesis of Net Neutrality. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/ajit-pai-man-who-killed-net-neutrality/Rice, A. (2018, June 07). This Is Ajit Pai, Nemesis of Net Neutrality. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/ajit-pai-man-who-killed-net-neutrality/
3. Coren, M. J., & Coren, M. J. (2017, December 15). What are the arguments for repealing net neutrality? Retrieved from https://qz.com/1140466/all-the-best-arguments-for-repealing-the-federal-communication-commissions-net-neutrality-rules-proposed-by-ajit-pai/
Sami Wills: Social Media 