What does Net Neutrality Mean?
The Federal Communications Commission today voted in favor (3-2 vote) of regulating the Internet.They will be able to do this by reclassifing "broadband as a utility" which would then give the
commission more regulatory power over Internet providers". (Eyder Peralta, 2015).
Interent providers have been charging what they need or want to customers, depending on your viewpoint. I have switched from provider to provider looking for the fastest service. Finally I have settled on VTEL who now has a fiber - optics system which they have been working on completing throughout their service area. At this time VTEL has a very competitive price point.
The internet service I had previously charged according to speed. VTEL does not. They far surpass the previous service and give a better deal. How this will all tie in with broadband's new status as a utility is still up in the air as far as I am concerned.
Jane Wakefield, Technology Reporter for BBC, listed the changes that Internet providers will be experiencing with the new classification as a utility in an article posted today, February 26. The list Wakefield posted is as follows:
- Broadband access is being reclassified as a telecommunications service, meaning it will be subject to much heavier regulation
- Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
- Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
- Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their
networks, will also be regulated
- Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt
with on a case by case basis
- All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
- The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls
As I read through a number of articles and posts discussing or explaining net neutrality it became apparent there were pros and cons for each side of the issue. And, today, the FCC decided in favor of Net Neutrality or regulation of broadband as a utility.
Resources:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389259382/net-neutrality-up-for-vote-today-by-fcc-board
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31638528
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389089145/the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-heres-what-you-need-to-know
- Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
- Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
- Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their
networks, will also be regulated
- Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt
with on a case by case basis
- All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
- The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls
As I read through a number of articles and posts discussing or explaining net neutrality it became apparent there were pros and cons for each side of the issue. And, today, the FCC decided in favor of Net Neutrality or regulation of broadband as a utility.
Resources:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389259382/net-neutrality-up-for-vote-today-by-fcc-board
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31638528
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389089145/the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-heres-what-you-need-to-know
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