What is Net Neutrality?
The term “Net Neutrality” refers to a regulation enforced by the FCC that ensures that free speech and a level playing field is ensured for any companies or persons on the Internet. Net Neutrality essentially means that all content on the Internet is treated equally by the government and Internet Service Providers such as AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon (with the exception of illegal content). Net Neutrality is enforced through Title 2 of the Communications Act (1934), which states that any common carrier must provide services to the general public without discrimination. In this case, a common carrier refers to a person or company that provides a service that is considered a utility, such as electricity, water or gas. In 2015 the FCC defined ISPs as a common carrier and Internet as a utility. This victory could be short-lived however, as current FCC chairman Ajit Pai has stated his wish to end Net Neutrality through the Restoring Internet Freedom Act. This bill would nullify the previous decision made by the FCC and prevent any rule with the same effect from being instituted in the future.
Why does it matter?
This is important because losing Net Neutrality could radically alter the way we use the Internet. Using the Internet could become exponentially more expensive, ISPs could unfairly damage competitors, and free speech could be stifled. Without Net Neutrality ISPs could start charging customers additional fees to access certain websites on top of the flat monthly fee one would pay. ISPs could also slow down Internet speeds to any given websites that they choose, or even just censor them outright. Whoever runs the ISPs would be free to censor any content that they chose. This has dramatic implications for free speech on the Internet. Even online dissent against the ISPs themselves could be shut down. ISPs would also be able to strangle competition as they could make it that customers would have to pay extra for competing services. A specific example of this would be video streaming services. Many ISPs have video streaming services of their own, so with Net Neutrality gone they would be free to charge customers extra for video streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu, forcing the customer to use their service. Now imagine that, but with every industry that utilizes the Internet. This is distinctly monopolistic and could go a ways to stifling entrepreneurial growth both on and off the Internet. The loss of Net Neutrality would negatively impact everybody in the country with the exception of ISPs and potential authoritarians who want to stifle free speech.
What can you do?
The Restoring Internet Freedom Act has been introduced in the senate and is currently in committee, but it may be voted upon in the near future. Calling or emailing the office of your state representatives can go a long way into influencing the way they will vote. If there’s one thing politicians care about, it’s getting re-elected. Make it clear to them that if they vote to pass the Restoring Internet Freedom Act they will lose your vote when they’re up for re-election.
