Premium Essay

Net Neutrality And The Internet

Submitted By
Words 1579
Pages 7
Net Neutrality
What is Net Neutrality?
The Internet has become a utility in our everyday lives. With the technology advent in the global markets, the internet has become a part of our day to day lives. With this new advent, there arise issues such as equality and freedom of usage. Recent usage of the word “net neutrality” means a lot to most of the internet users. Net neutrality or the open internet is defined as unlimited or equal access to all the websites on the internet without any limitations. However, we can see that some of the bigger players in the industry are blocking or limiting the speed of access to certain sites or apps. The issue of net neutrality is not a newer issue wherein everyone is hearing the words for the first time. …show more content…
Verizon sued FCC stating that FCC has no say in how the telecoms operate and charge their customers (Kang, 2011). However, in 2015, FCC has voted for net neutrality and against price differentials. This bill pertains to the new set of rules that have been passed in 2010 by the FCC. To enforce fairness rules, the agency has regulated the network owners by scooping them up under Title II of 1934 Telecommunications Act, a specific set of regulations that apply to phone companies (Berkman, 2014). Telecoms say that the rules do not match the services they provide (Pagliery, 2015). This act is a monopoly prevention act. This law was to give regulation for national and international communication via wire and radio (FCC, n.d.). These rules limit the paid prioritization. Under these new set of standards, Verizon cannot block Google Wallet like it did in 2011, and Comcast cannot block certain file sharing apps like the bit torrent. In simple words, net neutrality promotes open and equal internet for everyone. There are no price differentials for the data plans. Verizon and other telecoms oppose this because they fear more intervention in their activities by …show more content…
The problem with developing countries is that they do not have stipulated regulations on net neutrality. For example, in India, there are no laws enforcing net neutrality; this gives tech giants like the Facebook to exploit the Indian market. In fact, Facebook has used its monopoly social networking platform for an enormous political campaign in its favor, making and sharing lakhs (11 million according to Facebook) of template responses to the regulators’ consultation. The same platform functionality was not available to other users, who could be holding other views on the subject (Furtado, 2015) (Singh, 2016). TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has invited comments on the topic of net neutrality and received only 21 counter arguments on the Free Basics and net neutrality (The Hindu, 2016). Finally, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has ruled in favor of net neutrality making it illegal for Free Basics or any other zero rating platform to launch their products against net neutrality (Bhargava,

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Net Neutrality

...2015 Net Neutrality The purpose of this research paper is to discuss how net-neutrality regulations will hinder competition and innovative growth. The research paper starts with an introduction of net neutrality then proceeds to the main argument of the topic. The paper will examine how net neutrality regulations have posed threats to internet use while reviewing some the work done different scholars. At the end of this part, an argument will be presented to show how threat to internet use will hinder competition and innovation growth. To strengthen the argument and stand of this paper, the paper will also examine the importance of net neutrality in businesses and communities which are core for development and show how this regulations will hinder innovation and competition to businesses and communities due to lack of information. The paper shall close with a conclusion part that will sum up the ideas discussed in the paper and bring to light how net neutrality will hinder competition and innovation. A research done by Bauer, Johannes, and Woohyun on "Regulation and innovation in Telecommunications" revealed that more than any other innovation or invention of our time, the Internet has opened potential outcomes we could barely imagine of a generation ago (Bauer 9). The research provided major reasons we have seen such extraordinary development and advancement as most Internet providers have treated Internet traffic in an equal manner. That is the principle known as "net neutrality"...

Words: 2041 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Net Neutrality

...Your internet provider provides you with everything from the internet. They essentially are like a highway to your computer. But what if this highway had a toll booth with three options; an extremely expensive ipass allowing rich websites to pass easily to your desktop, a normal priced toll with no ipass slowing down poorer sites, and the toll could turn away any website they like. Internet service providers are trying to push for this kind of internet, a money based internet where they don’t have to show any competitors websites at all. This doesn't sound like a good thing for the internet we know and love. In order to protect the fundamental principle that the internet was based on, and small web-based companies, net neutrality Must be protected and preserved. To understand why Net Neutrality must be preserved first you have to understand it, the economics of it, the arguments against the system, and the effect its change would have on small web-based companies. Net Neutrality can be defined very simply, that all websites are treated equally and distributed to the consumer or business equally. According to Tim wu, a professor at Columbia law School, he says on his personal website article Network Neutrality FAQ “The idea is that a maximally useful public information network aspires to treat all content, sites, and platforms equally.” What he is saying here is that basic concept of Net Neutrality is that no matter what provider, or platform (computer, tablet, or phone...

Words: 2518 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Net Nuetrality

...Running Head: Net Neutrality | Net Neutrality | | SS31508/3/2015 | | | | Introduction Is net neutrality really what we want? That is a major question that is being asked across the country. Some say it is much needed, and there are others who say that it could be detrimental to quite a few people, and could have disastrous results. However, in order to know whether net neutrality is a good thing or a bad thing for the country we must first define what it is and how it is being used or implemented. What is Net Nuetrality? Net neutrality is the concept that everybody should have the same access as everyone else. There are a few things that are incorporated into this concept. No blocking will be allowed with net neutrality. This means that “If a consumer requests access to a website or service, and the content is legal, your ISP (internet service provider) should not be permitted to block it. That way, every player — not just those commercially affiliated with an ISP — gets a fair shot at your business”. Throttling will also not be allowed. ISPs will not be able to slow down some content, and speed up others, usually based on the type of service or the ISPs preference. There will also be no paid prioritization, meaning that no service will be slowed down or not prioritized because they do not pay a set fee. Positives Many people feel strongly to have net neutrality in place. President Barack Obama says “I am a strong supporter of net neutrality … What you’ve...

Words: 1215 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

What Is Net Neutrality

...Net Neutrality Debate Sirisha Dumpa Campbellsville University BA 63373 Information Systems Infrastructure Professor: Fred Rose Net Neutrality Debate Neutrality occurs in a situation where Internet Service Providers are prevented from selectively restricting internet access or discrimination against certain users by imposing fee for websites or content. Net Neutrality Debate is a debate based on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that was argued that its access should not victimized regardless of the application individual use for internet hence offering freedom to upload or download content. Net Neutrality differs from one nation to other internationally. To start with, in countries like Portugal has Net Neutrality barring data blockage,...

Words: 493 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Net Neutrality In India

...Abstract: Net neutrality is a sensitive cyber issue which expresses the right to Internet users to have net services without any discrimination on the basis of source, destination, or ownership of any kind of Internet traffic. This idea has laid the foundation for vigorous and high noted debate over public policy and private ownership across the many parts of the world over governmental regulation of the Internet or Internet access. The concept of Net Neutrality is new among Indian netizens (a term frequently used for internet citizens/users) which has become a matter of great concern among them and so has attracted a large media attention in a very short while. Nobody pay for electricity on the basis of which brand of appliances one uses,...

Words: 4915 - Pages: 20

Free Essay

Net Neutrality

...Browse Essays/Technology Net Neutrality This essay Net Neutrality is available for you on Essays24.com! Search Term Papers, College Essay Examples and Free Essays on Essays24.com - full papers database. Autor: anton • November 11, 2010 • 680 Words (3 Pages) • 326 Views Page 1 of 3 As someone who has had some sort of web presence for over ten years , I am completely and unequivocally in favor of net neutrality. Google defines net neutrality as "the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. " What net neutrality means to me, is that the content I have to share (however mundane it may be) has an equal opportunity of reaching any Internet user as any other content on any other web site. There are some interesting videos on You Tube discussing this topic most notably Robin Miller's video which talks about how net neutrality benefits individuals like you and me. However, the threat to net neutrality impacts everyone--small businesses, large businesses, and individuals . If we lose the battle to maintain net neutrality it could stifle competition amongst businesses online with the only companies remaining being the ones who can afford to pay premiums to broadband service providers for prioritization. Technologies like packet shaping (not necessarily a bad technology depending on what it is used for) are paving the way for such discrimination. Small businesses will find it more difficult to compete...

Words: 2945 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Arguments Against Net Neutrality

...Net Neutrality In today’s era of free flow easy-access information and instant entertainment gratification, Net Neutrality is what evens the playing field between large corporations and start-ups; and allows us to consume any part of the internet equally, without discrimination, and at relatively constant speeds. Net Neutrality, as described by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is the idea that all data sent over The Internet is treated the same; without favoring one party’s data over another one for having some sort of “fast lane” plan with their Internet service provider to expedite their traffic. Many people argue that Net Neutrality is essential to keeping and maintaining the open nature of the internet we have today, which provides...

Words: 998 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Net Neutrality

...The idea of net neutrality has been around since the invention of the telegram and telephone system. This idea of neutrality led to the passage of the Communications Act of 1934 which regulates telecommunications by prohibiting preferential treatment and unfair consumer costs (The Communications Act of 1934). However, the term “net neutrality” as it pertains to the internet was first used by Tim Wu in 2003 in his article “Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination” (Wu, 2003). In March of 2005, the concept became more well known when the internet service provider (ISP) Madison River Communications was caught blocking all of its subscribers from using a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service called Vonage. The company blocked this service because their own telecommunications service was competing against Vonage’s lower prices, made possible by utilizing customers’ internet connections instead of telephone lines (Ante & Crockett, 2005). Vonage made a complaint to the FCC, and Madison River Communications had to pay a $15,000 fine (Regan, 2005). Later in 2005, the FCC released an internet policy statement, which outlined support for an early version of net neutrality. This statement was meant to “encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet” by adopting the following principles: • allowing consumers access to the lawful internet content of their choice, • allowing consumers access to run applications...

Words: 2517 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Pros And Cons Of Net Neutrality

...One of the most polarizing debates of 2017 was Net Neutrality, more specifically, the repealing of net neutrality. The term “net neutrality” may not have been around since the start of the internet and telephone service providers preceding them but the concept has always been there. The basic premise behind net neutrality is that it is a means to ensure that the internet is for the common good of the people ensuring freedom to browse the web however the consumer pleases. The general consensus for the majority of United States citizens is that net neutrality benefits them. It is believed that without net neutrality, that big ISPs will now be free to please stockholders by driving up profits through being able to charge the customer for the specific...

Words: 1226 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Essay On Net Neutrality

...Net Neutrality Net neutrality is the law requiring internet service providers to be fair in their services to all websites. They are not allowed to throttle or limit any one website (“Net Neutrality: What you need to know now”). Net neutrality is necessary for the growth of this country's businesses, freedom of the Internet, and for fair political representation. Net neutrality is necessary for small businesses to stay competitive and to grow. Large corporations could possibly pay a internet service provider to censor or throttle speeds to a competitors website (Pogue). This is potentially detrimental to smaller businesses whose income comes primarily form online sales (Green). Said by Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, “And just who will be impacted...

Words: 435 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Federal Antitrust Laws

...The Internet makes information instantly available to people from all around the world. The Internet provides access to information on literally any subject a person could possibly think of. It is an amazing tool that has a wide range of uses, but the convenience it provides presents some issues. Pornography is the first thing that comes to my mind. Before the Internet, a person had to have a physical copy of a pornographic movie in order to view one. In the present day, anyone do a Google search and have access to a multitude of pornographic videos for free. Governments have recognized the issues that the Internet presents and have attempted to regulate the Internet in various ways. Many attempts have not been completely successful though,...

Words: 1311 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Net Neutrality Case Study

...changed the internet. The commission voted by a margin of three to two to approve the "Internet Freedom Order." This order exterminated the network neutrality rules that have been governing the internet since early 2015. Network, or "net" neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers, also known as ISPs, are required to equally give their consumers access to all legal content. Removing the net neutrality rules would allow ISPs to charge customers more for using the internet that they provide and would also authorize them to blow their websites up with advertisements, also known as "Clickbaits." Discarding the rules would also allow ISPs to block websites that...

Words: 769 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Global Marketing Exercise

...Topic: Discuss the concept of Net Neutrality, its role in the market, and provide your opinion on the subject Discussion Questions: 1. What is Net Neutrality? 2. What role does Net Neutrality play in the current business market? 3. What is your opinion on the subject? Please cite all sources The current structure of the internet can be described as "open" because it allows both consumers and businesses to communicate; as well as create, share, and access content without restriction or boundaries.  The concept behind the The "Open Internet" structure is Net Neutrality, defined by the Oxford Dictionaries as "the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites."  Currently, net neutrality plays a substantial role in the competitive landscape of our current business markets.  The current "open" structure of the internet allows for better communication, creativity, innovation, and access to markets as well as products for both organizations and consumers .  Net neutrality has somewhat leveled the "playing field", and made it possible for smaller organizations to compete in the same markets as established organizations that have access to larger amounts of capital.  Recently, President Obama released a statement calling net neutrality "essential to the American economy" due its ability to "lower the cost of launching a new idea, ignite...

Words: 1776 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Net Neutrality

...Net Neutrality Internet users are under threat by the rules and regulations demanded by Internet service providers. The implication of this act is the deprivation of our right to free internet access. Hereafter, FCC Tom Wheeler fought back by releasing a plan to defend net neutrality and preserve our rights. Net Neutrality gives Internet users the freedom to access and enjoy any kind of content on the web and protect free speech without any restrictions or limitations. It provides a platform for innovative ideas, which the internet thrives of. This guiding principle is supported by the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Open Internet Order, which was specifically issued to prevent Internet Service Providers (ISP) from blocking or impeding user’s connections to online content. In defense, without the Net Neutrality, Internet Service Providers would be able to strategize new ways to charge users more for access and services, which would hinder online communication. Without Net Neutrality, Internet Service Providers would be allowed to censor content and speech that does not cater to their taste, reject applications that is in competition with their own offerings and prioritize Web traffic. This paper will be written in the defense of net neutrality, in terms of importance for business and communities of color, etc., and our right to free internet access on behalf of all Internet users. There are a number of reasons why net neutrality is important to us. Net neutrality...

Words: 1011 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

What Is Net Neutrality?

...last decade, net neutrality has increasingly made its way into public discourse: politicians on Capitol Hill have battled over it, corporations have worked to curb it and public interest advocates have fought to preserve it. In September, the fight to keep the Internet free and open found its way to the DC’s Circuit Court of Appeals, where Verizon is attempting to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s current net neutrality regulations. Verizon vs. FCC , which could be decided as soon as this month, is the latest and arguably most important battle to protect the Internet from censorship and discrimination. But what is net neutrality? And what could this case mean for the future of the Internet? We’ve put together this explainer to catch you up. What is net neutrality? Network neutrality, or net neutrality, is a term first coined by technology policy scholar Tim Wu to describe the preservation of online innovation by prohibiting companies from discriminating against some users and content, or prioritizing some content over others. It guarantees a level playing field in which Internet users do not have to pay Internet service providers more for better access to online content, and content generators do not have to pay additional fees to ensure users can access their websites or apps. By the way, what is an Internet service provider? An Internet service provider, or ISP, is a company or organization that sells you access to the Internet. These companies...

Words: 2228 - Pages: 9