If Net Neutrality were to be gotten rid of we would essentially LOSE ALL FREE SPEECH on the internet. I suggest you watch this video to find out more about net neutrality https://youtube/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU Net Neutrality (which is currently in use) is the policy that all websites must be treated equally by all internet providers (Verizon, AT&T, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, etc.) Its similar to policies that are in place right now that keep businesses from harming other businesses for profit. Example: Policies that are in place right now make it illegal for phone companies to drop calls from pizza places on purpose and threaten the pizza companies to pay up or their calls will be dropped. This is essentially what Net Neutrality does, but for the internet. This makes it so all websites must be broadcast to customers at the same speed by every provider. Net Neutrality makes it so it would be illegal for an internet provider to lower the speed of a website so they can get something they want from the website. It basically keeps the internet providers form becoming mob bosses and shaking down website owners for their money. Right now the FCC is planning on repealing Net Neutrality. Right now their plan is to remove Net Neutrality and create two tiers of internet speed. One will be the fast lane, and the other the slow lane. The upper tier (fast lane) will charge more to website creators so that their content will be streamed to customers at faster rates. The lower tier (slow lane) will be streamed at a slower speed but will be cheaper. Basically, all new websites will start on the lower tier unless your a millionaire starting a website. This is just their plan for now, but without Net Neutrality internet providers can say, Hey Netflix. We really hate Orange is the New Black, get rid of it or we lower your speeds and frustrate your customers. They will essentially control all media on the internet. At any point internet providers could even stop streaming websites entirely. With Net Neutrality gone they can also do package plans like they do for T.V. Oh you want Netflix and Hulu, thats our premium package, but if you want to add Facebook, that will be an extra $5 a month. Do you see why this is a bad thing? Right now other than some military supply company the top lobbyists in Washington are Comcast and Time Warner Cable two of the biggest internet providers out there. Whats even scarier is the fact that all these companies seem to be working together (even though they should be competing with each other) to get this thing revoked. In fact, Time Warner Cable and Comcast have an agreement that they will not compete with each other in the same cities and or states. Comcast is in New York, Time Warner in Pennsylvania, etc. This does not allow for competition and essentially creates monopolies. And heres the best part, the head of the FCC is a former lobbyist for these cable companies. If you want to learn more please watch the John Oliver video I posted a link to up top and also please watch this video as well https://youtube/watch?v=NAxMyTwmu_M These videos can explain what is going on better than I can. Right now the FCC is taking comments from the public. Here is a link to send a comment to the FCC. https://dearfcc.org/ Please go and comment to the FCC if you want Net Neutrality laws to stay in place, or write to your representatives, or both.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:57:49 +0000