With Thanksgiving coming up invariably there will be controversial subjects discussed at the family dinner table. Although I am one to revel in fabulous Thanksgiving stories - and we've all had them - I am not one who will bring up a topic just to see the sparks fly. That's just wrong.
However, if you asked many people what the term "net neutrality" is or what it means, you might get a blank stare. If you ask people in the communications industry, you will unleash a torrent of opinion and emotion. Net neutrality is a very hot topic right now as changes are being proposed that will affect service providers and Internet users.
So what is "net neutrality"? I do not claim to be an expert on this subject but have done some research and have a simple understanding of the concept. Net neutrality is what we have today - an open Internet that allows all types of content to be available to anyone who can access it. At its core, the Internet provides us with access, openness, and a conduit for innovation. Take Google for instance. It us unknown when the company name became a verb, as in, "just Google it". Through Google, we can learn about any topic quickly and easily through our phones, tablets, or laptops. How many school projects have been researched through tools such as Wikipedia? This openness allows all opinions on a subject to be given the same treatment and respect. When researching a topic, one can see all sides presented and make informed conclusions. In terms of innovation, where would Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook be without open Internet? All of these companies have relied on the ability to reach a broad number of users to further their product and with an open Internet, have become incredibly successful.
So, what's the problem? Here's where things get sticky...many of the uses of the Internet take massive amounts of broadband capacity to deliver - think Netflix and YouTube. It has been proposed that users of these types of applications can be charged more for taking up much of the Internet Service Providers (ISP) capacity. This sets up a "pay for play" scenario that flies in the face of access for all as some may not be able to afford these services going forward. ISP's are in favor of this as it would produce huge revenues for them. Opponents say that the ISP's could control the content and restrict information flow to end users.
This issue has made it into the judicial system with a case in early 2014 affirming the FCC's authority to regulate broadband Internet access. However, the FCC is asking for public comment on new rules to be established for the Internet.
Ultimately this is a subject that will affect us all - especially you, dear reader, as you are accessing this blog via our wonderful open Internet. We are wise to learn more about it and make sure our voices are heard.
-Suzanne Beck
VP Business Development
Telecom Solutions - Telamon Corporation
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