Current Trends
Although the debate over network neutrality has been going on since 2000, there are many current changes that have brought about fierce contentions. In the past, network neutrality has allowed for a level playing field in regards to Internet content being equally distributed. Many feel that limiting Internet access will stifle innovation. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has promised to adopt a final ruling by the end of this year, which will hopefully create beneficial and productive standards regarding this very important policy.
The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will make it harder for new tech entrepreneurs to compete with big business dollars if allowed to set priority pricing for connectivity, however, the FCC has the final say on the matter. It will be the grossest form of discrimination in recent years if they are allowed to bring about this change. Since the Internet’s inception, a huge contribution to its success has been the open Internet or network neutrality ideal, by removing this notion it will severely cripple its impact.
The FCC in 2005 hoped to lay down network neutrality policies that allowed for some movement for changes in technology and interpretation. They accomplished their goal, but the absence of solid rules almost guarantees the fact that someone will attempt to violate network neutrality. It is believed that if the FCC does not decide in favor of network neutrality, then there will be a domino effect which could leave American Internet users without access to foreign businesses, education, and medical breakthroughs.
The World Wide Web will be affected by the FCC's final decision about network neutrality, and a lot will be determined by how it is defined in their new ruling. In 2010, the FCC adopted a set of network neutrality rules called 'Open Internet Order’ which prevented ISPs from blocking or giving preferential access to certain paying websites. Even though the 2010 ruling of the FCC was created with a flawed legal foundation, it is ultimately the FCC who holds the power over the Internet, not the ISP. There was a ruling in late 2014 by the FCC permitting Internet providers instances where they could charge additional fees for increased bandwidth. It also required more disclosure to the public about their policies. The FCC was successful in prohibiting ISP’s from creating and charging for a two tier connectivity lane. The 'Open Internet Order’ had two loopholes: one of which exempted mobile access and the other which allowed ISP’s to violate network neutrality through connection deals.
In January 2014, Verizon successfully challenged the FCC’s 2010 ruling of the 'Open Internet Order’ in a U.S. federal appeals court by using a loophole in the ruling. The appeals court stated that Verizon is not regulated by the Title II of the communications act because they are not common carriers. There is some talk that the FCC will introduce new network neutrality rulings and policies later this year.
Another supporter of network neutrality is the American Library Association (ALA), who believes that to preserve the competitive online markets for content and services we must remain an open Internet. Laws that preserve network neutrality are necessary to enforce the open market for Internet users. There is a vibrant diversity of viewpoints on this topic and in the foreseeable future a solid solution will hopefully be found.
The capability of the modern Internet to expand and distribute ideas can only improve with new technology and new people with original ideas. As there is already little competition between broadband providers, the narrowing of the field of connectivity lanes can only further reduce innovation and the creation of new start up companies.
The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will make it harder for new tech entrepreneurs to compete with big business dollars if allowed to set priority pricing for connectivity, however, the FCC has the final say on the matter. It will be the grossest form of discrimination in recent years if they are allowed to bring about this change. Since the Internet’s inception, a huge contribution to its success has been the open Internet or network neutrality ideal, by removing this notion it will severely cripple its impact.
The FCC in 2005 hoped to lay down network neutrality policies that allowed for some movement for changes in technology and interpretation. They accomplished their goal, but the absence of solid rules almost guarantees the fact that someone will attempt to violate network neutrality. It is believed that if the FCC does not decide in favor of network neutrality, then there will be a domino effect which could leave American Internet users without access to foreign businesses, education, and medical breakthroughs.
The World Wide Web will be affected by the FCC's final decision about network neutrality, and a lot will be determined by how it is defined in their new ruling. In 2010, the FCC adopted a set of network neutrality rules called 'Open Internet Order’ which prevented ISPs from blocking or giving preferential access to certain paying websites. Even though the 2010 ruling of the FCC was created with a flawed legal foundation, it is ultimately the FCC who holds the power over the Internet, not the ISP. There was a ruling in late 2014 by the FCC permitting Internet providers instances where they could charge additional fees for increased bandwidth. It also required more disclosure to the public about their policies. The FCC was successful in prohibiting ISP’s from creating and charging for a two tier connectivity lane. The 'Open Internet Order’ had two loopholes: one of which exempted mobile access and the other which allowed ISP’s to violate network neutrality through connection deals.
In January 2014, Verizon successfully challenged the FCC’s 2010 ruling of the 'Open Internet Order’ in a U.S. federal appeals court by using a loophole in the ruling. The appeals court stated that Verizon is not regulated by the Title II of the communications act because they are not common carriers. There is some talk that the FCC will introduce new network neutrality rulings and policies later this year.
Another supporter of network neutrality is the American Library Association (ALA), who believes that to preserve the competitive online markets for content and services we must remain an open Internet. Laws that preserve network neutrality are necessary to enforce the open market for Internet users. There is a vibrant diversity of viewpoints on this topic and in the foreseeable future a solid solution will hopefully be found.
The capability of the modern Internet to expand and distribute ideas can only improve with new technology and new people with original ideas. As there is already little competition between broadband providers, the narrowing of the field of connectivity lanes can only further reduce innovation and the creation of new start up companies.