By Megan Tjandrasuwita
The Internet is a prevalent tool of communication practically used by everyone nowadays. Just like water, it is a limited resource and therefore needs to be shared in a responsible manner. The basic Internet consists of a network of interconnecting servers and Internet service providers (ISPs) who control the “last-mile” delivery of Internet data to customers. The ISP is the broadband provider, which is typically a cable or phone company such as AT&T, Comcast, or Verizon that connects homes and businesses to the Internet. These broadband providers are typically large companies and if unregulated, can control (block or slow down) the flow of information of Internet data to and from your home or business.
Net neutrality is the idea that all traffic on the Internet should be treated equally. In 2015, the Internet has been classified under Title II of the Communication Act which gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a strong legal foundation to enforce net neutrality. FCC net neutrality consists of three basic rules:
- No Blocking: This rule prohibits broadband providers from blocking lawful content, applications, services, and non harmful devices.
- No Throttling: This rule prohibits broadband providers from slowing down specific Internet applications or services.
- No Paid Prioritization: This rule prohibits broadband providers from accepting fees for favored treatment.
Net neutrality basically ensures freedom of speech for the Internet. Furthermore, it prohibits broadband providers to block, slow down, or charge money to other Internet content providers. Keep in mind that most broadband providers are also Internet content providers so they are competing with all other content providers. Without net neutrality, broadband providers could have unfair advantages over other content providers by manipulating their competitors’ content delivery. In fact, prior to the 2015 net neutrality regulation, companies such as Netflix, which provide contents that require high Internet bandwidth, were forced to pay broadband providers to avoid throttling of their content delivery. On the other hand, net neutrality also prevents rich content providers to pay broadband providers to get preferential treatment for their content delivery.
Why should we worry about net neutrality now that the FCC is regulating the Internet? The passing of the 2015 Communication Act is just the beginning of the debate over net neutrality. Immediately after the FCC issued the 400-page net neutrality regulation, broadband providers and their lobbyists have launched legal challenges in court. They argued that they need to charge high bandwidth content providers to pay for content delivery infrastructure upgrades which are necessary for delivering high bandwidth contents. This is despite the fact that under current net neutrality regulation, broadband companies are allowed to charge their customers based on bandwidth usage, which they do. So far, the courts have rejected these legal challenges. However, the recently Trump-appointed FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, who was previously a lawyer of Verizon, is determined to roll back the FCC net neutrality mandate and classify the Internet under Title I of Communication Act which will force a deregulation or a “light touch” approach with regards to Internet usage. In this case, we would be forced to rely on broadband providers and content providers to behave in responsible manner with respect to Internet usage. Whatever the outcome, the struggle and debate on net neutrality will likely continue and evolve for many years to come.
