Net Neutrality Part 1 - What's the Big Deal?

Thanks to TFTS for the graphic

Net Neutrality. The best definition I've read (so far) is the following:

"A level playing field for Internet transport. It refers to the absence of restrictions or priorities placed on the type of content carried over the Internet by the carriers and ISPs that run the major backbones. It states that all traffic be treated equally; that packets are delivered on a first-come, first-served basis regardless from where they originated or to where they are destined." (http://computer.your dictionary.com/net-neutrality).

OK, I can hear it now ... so what? This only concerns geeks like you, Charlie. What do we care how Internet Service Providers (ISP) prioritize and route data traffic? It's their property, their service and they can pretty much handle their business however they'd like, right?

Suppose however that you are paying that ISP far less for service than all of their other subscribers, including small businesses, large conglomerates, and even governments? Also suppose that as a private citizen you're not even allowed to buy top-flight services like those offered to the Big Boys. Your puny monthly subscription affects not only how quickly (or not) you can access the Internet, but also the content you are "permitted" to view?

Different story now, right?

So while you may be permitted to view YouTube you would be charged extra for Netflix (over and above the amount you already pay Netflix). IF your subscription level allowed such an option that is. Your level of service might not even permit video access as you simply aren't profitable enough to justify extending that much bandwidth. Think of bandwidth like pipes .. the bigger the pipe the more water (data) you get.

Or maybe you are able to view video but it is so pitifully slow that you can't use it. Remember though you are a peon subscriber with no rights beyond those declared in your ISP's Service Level Agreement (SLA). Do you know anyone, other than me, who has actually read an SLA? No, didn't think so; Some of you may have but I'd bet 99% of the population hasn't. On the other hand, that same 99% has agreed to one (cell phones, cable TV, computer warranties, you name it).

And this could well come about if Net Neutrality doesn't become the law of the land. Not much we can do about other countries (witness Egypt's decision to turn off the Internet and cell service this week in response to the ongoing uprising).

To use another analogy, let's look at books. Suppose that, for whatever reason, a book you really wanted to read cost $1000 precisely because of the views espoused in that text? Views that ran counter to accepted wisdom, common sense, family values [insert favorite dogmatic bullshit here]. But, you could get a "different" book, once much more "compatible" with the views of whichever governing authority you happened to live under, for $5? Or free?

Or maybe you pay less for the electricity supplying your new Samsung refrigerator than the miserable mope who, utilizing his "freedom" of consumer choice, stupidly purchased one from LG instead? These types of deals (known as cooperative monopolies) are playing out everyday in the marketplace and while the electricity example seems far-fetched, it is a very real possibility especially as more and more devices, households, and services interconnect via the Internet.

Worse, the potential for information censorship, market-driven or politically-driven, becomes a very real threat to personal freedom. It is for this reason that Net Neutrality is often called the First Amendment Issue of the Technological Age. It really IS that important.

And not to scare you any further but here are a few videos of a prominent U.S. Senator, and former Presidential candidate, who has made Net Neutrality an important issue for himself, his constituents, his lobbyists, and by extension given his national role, the American public at large. Oh, and he has self-admittedly never used a computer.  :-(


Daily Show - Net Neutrality
Really, Senator McCain? The Internet Freedom Act?


McCain Again
No restraint of competition? My friends at Qualcomm?

NEXT: Part 2 - Why is this even a debate?