Activists Want Net Neutrality Now

Proponents Want The Net To Remain Open To All

Oct 17, 2009

Proponents of Net Neutrality say that a friendly administration, FCC, and congress have created a favorable climate for necessary regulation to keep the Internet open.

Communication activists are feeling that the time is ripe for what they say is a restoration of equality on the Internet. This concept is known as net neutrality. Proponents of the idea argue that the Internet grew up in an era where everybody was essentially on the same Internet. That changed in the NCTA v. Brand X U.S. Supreme Court decision of 2005.

Prior to this case, it was assumed that Internet service providers were common carriers in the same way that railroads and telephone companies are. That is, they are prevented by federal regulation from discriminating against users and they have to provide the same rates for users. The big telecommunication companies had been wanting to, essentially, be able to tier their services. They have wanted to offer different packages to different users. Since that decision, communication policy activists have been asking the Federal Communications Commission and congress to put forth laws preserving what is essentially a network neutral environment.

The Case For Net Neutrality

Curiously, some of the most successful Internet companies are on the side of net neutrality. The CEOs of such companies as Google, Yahoo, Ebay, and Amazon, all grew up in the era of net neutrality. They were able to grow, they argue, because they had the same access to the Internet as everyone else. Net neutrality proponents also argue that there is a freedom of speech issue involved. People are able to disseminate their ideas on the Internet, because they are treated equally.

The Case Against Net Neutrality

The big telecommunication companies are the major opponents of net neutrality. Robert Pepper, of Cisco systems says, that even in a world where Internet service providers can tier services for different consumers, the scenario of the net neutrality proponents is unlikely to happen,

“That scenario, however, is a false paradigm. Such an all-or-nothing world doesn't exist today, nor will it exist in the future. Without additional regulation, service providers are likely to continue doing what they are doing. They will continue to offer a variety of broadband service plans at a variety of price points to suit every type of consumer."

In other words, he argues that the providers still have to respond to consumer needs.

Why The Time May Be Ripe For Net Neutrality Regulations

The Obama Administration and current FCC are in favor of it. The Democratic leadership of Congress is also largely in favor of it. The proponents of Net Neutrality argue that if it can’t be passed in this climate, it may never be passed at all.

Pepper, R. (14 March. 2007). Network Neutrality: Avoiding A Net Loss. Tech News World

The copyright of the article Activists Want Net Neutrality Now in Activism is owned by Jon Pike. Permission to republish Activists Want Net Neutrality Now in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.