The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently voted to repeal “net neutrality,” a decision that has shocked many Americans and caused concern for what internet usage will look like in the future. An overwhelming outcry against this anticipated decision was apparent in online social media campaigns, in protests across several U.S. cities, and in heavy lobbying campaigns by tech companies and Democrats. For consumers, their largest fear seems to be how this decision will affect access to internet sources such as cable and streaming sites, and if providers will rise prices on services following deregulation.
What exactly did “net neutrality” ensure?
In 2004 former Chairman of the FCC, Michael Powell, publicly announced that Internet users ought to enjoy “four fundamental freedoms”: The freedom to access any Web content of their choice, so long as it was legal; the freedom to use any online application; the freedom to use their home broadband connections on any device; and the freedom to get subscription information from their own providers. Opponents to the repeal argue that without net neutrality, Internet providers will be able to speed up, slow down, or even block service for some apps and websites. The Obama administration passed regulations that prevented broadband companies such as AT&T and Verizon from doing so, but the FCC’s recent decision repealed these regulations as well.
Is Net Neutrality a partisan issue?
Perhaps one of the most shocking factors of the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality is that both Democrats and Republicans expressed interest in keeping net neutrality. A recent survey from the University of Maryland revealed that large majorities of Americans opposed this decision. 89% of voters expressed concern with the repeal of net neutrality, including 3 out of 4 Republicans. So while the Obama administration pushed for regulating the broadband industry, it seems Republican voters and politicians are also proponents of keeping the net neutral. The FCC board is led by a Republican majority, and reflects similar unexpected and drastic waves of change led by the Trump Administration since recent inauguration in January.
So will there be a new “cost” for internet services in the future?
Well, that is up to the providers and broadband companies who offer Internet packages. Some proponents of net neutrality argue that larger companies and streaming services such as Netflix, who use more bandwidth , ought to be charged more for what they use. Internet providers, on the other hand, completely contest the idea that prices will go up. They claim that there is no financial incentive to block or slow down certain apps, websites, or services. Providers favored the decision to repeal net neutrality because they argued that speeding up some services could actually benefit consumers, and that the new rules allow the Federal Trade Commission to sue carriers that act anti-competitively.
Potential results
So while the repeal of net neutrality gives more freedom to providers to control the speed and access to certain apps and websites, consumers shouldn’t expect to pay for access to platforms such as Snapchat and Facebook. The answer to what the internet will look like without net neutrality is this: while usage and access won’t change drastically for consumers within the next few years, it largely rests in the hands of Internet providers and how they choose to act.
Leave a Reply