EOTO 2- Blog Post #10

What if I told you that Internet Service Providers could block the kinds of content that you see? Net neutrality is the concept that all data traffic on a network should be treated indiscriminately, and internet service providers (ISPs) would be restricted from blocking, slowing down or speeding up the delivery of online content at their discretion. In layman's terms, this stops Internet Service Providers like Comcast and Verizon from blocking your access to services like Netflix or Youtube TV, in order to encourage you to buy a different streaming service. 

Net Neutrality argues "Free Expression" as we have learned in this class through the First Amendment, "everyone has the freedom to hold opinions, receive and voice their ideas without interference by public authority."  If Broadband providers are able to pick favorites online, newer companies can never even get their feet off the ground. Tim Wu coined the term "net neutrality" to call out broadband providers and ask for anti-discrimination rules. Think of a highway. On this highway, there are multiple lanes, you have your traditional lanes that are free and then you have fast lanes. The fast lanes usually through Waze or Google Maps tell you that you will reach your destination earlier because the fast lanes are quicker. However, there is one stipulation to this, it requires money. Whether it be a toll you have to pay or you use your E-ZPass it is not free. This is exactly what Internet Service Providers do when they do not follow net neutrality. In fact Comcast landed in hot water when they banned a home internet user from accessing (VPNs) and the same thing happened with AT&T who banned some of its users from using their WIFI routers. 

What could the future of Net Neutrality look like? It could be a future full of uncertainty. In 2018 the Federal Communications Commission made the "Restoring Internet Freedom Order." This order meant that internet service providers had to disclose information about their network management, practices, and commercial terms of service. They argued that transparency was key when it comes to protecting the openness of the internet. However, just because they are more transparent, does that necessarily make it right? In fact this rule change places primary jurisdiction over Internet Service providers and not with the states. Which is why Attorney generals from more than twenty states, non profits and internet groups filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission. Sixteen states have introduced net neutrality legislation in the 2021 legislative session.

These packages to the right, is what the Internet would ultimately begin to look like if there was no net neutrality. This would benefit those who could afford it. However, the average family especially with inflation being so high would not be able to afford the higher ended packages. Due to the fact that the talk of net neutrality is constantly debated, packages like this in the next year are said to not occur. However, You can expect to see more of the practices that carriers already employ, like letting their own content bypass data limits. An example of this is AT&T currently lets you watch its DirecTV now video service without having it count against your data plan but watching something like Netflix will still chew through your limit.