What Is Net Neutrality: Policies and Impact

What Is Net Neutrality: Policies and Impact

Staff

Net neutrality refers to the policy that keeps Internet service providers from discriminating against or favoring certain content through prioritization or blocking. This concept has attracted policy discussions worldwide as it affects how consumers connect to the internet and how firms conduct business online. 

Here, we will discuss net neutrality, its impact, and policies in detail. Let’s get in!

What Is Net Neutrality?

Net neutrality states that the internet should be open for everyone, and every ISP should offer equal connection to all traffic and cannot prevent traffic to a particular website. As described by Columbia University law professor Tim Wu, net neutrality is used as a label for more general discussions of Internet freedom of speech, competition of service, innovation, pricing and management of Internet traffic. 

To ensure your connection meets these principles, you can Test your Speed to verify that your ISP is providing the promised service.

Net Neutrality Policies 

The Obama Administration proposed net neutrality legislation in 2015. It implemented rules that prohibited ISPs such as AT&T and Comcast from intentionally prioritizing or throttling traffic to or from certain websites to accommodate demand or business interests.

Further, in 2017, during the Trump presidency, the FCC eliminated all the net neutrality standards. It stated that it had no authority to regulate broadband but allowed each state to implement its own open internet policies.

On July 13, 2022, senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui of California’s 6th Congress introduced the bill called the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act. This act says that broadband internet access should be treated as a telecommunications service, giving the FCC the right tools to reinstate net neutrality.

The Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act authorizes the FCC to prevent blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization on the Internet. It enables the FCC to set sound broadband policies that would improve public safety, increase access and protect consumers. This ensures that when users run a speed test, they can trust the results reflect a fair and open internet.

Impact of Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is essential and affects consumers, businesses, and innovation. For consumers, it provides an opportunity to freely access web content without additional fees or slower connection speed. This avoids a situation where only those willing to pay for expensive services can have unrestricted internet access. 

To startups and other businesses, net neutrality allows for greater equality with established companies without having to spend on priority. It promotes experimentation because audiences can access new ideas and services without the intervention of ISPs. Lack of net neutrality means that ISPs will interfere with an internet connection for their benefit, thus degrading competition and minimizing the options.

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