Net Neutrality Definition – When you use the Internet, you expect that everything will be working on an equal playing field. You are expecting to be able to use the sites that you want. But, you may not really think about who is controlling your ability to roam the internet freely, because you expect yourself to be the ruler of your internet experience. When you use the internet you expect neutrality, net neutrality (Net Neutrality…, FreePress). What is Net Neutrality – Net Neutrality gives use the freedom to communicate freely online. It is an Internet that protects and provides the freedom of speech (Net Neutrality…FreePress). Net Neutrality keeps internet providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from speeding up or slowing down programs or blocking you from certain sites. (Net Neutrality…,FreePress). Net Neutrality oversees the ISP companies that are responsible for trafficking on the internet. With Net Neutrality the traffic you create is treated equally among the ISP’s (Simple Explanation, Edwards).The ISP’s should not discriminate on what we choose to use on the internet, and should not block us from using what we choose to use (Net Neutrality…, FreePress).
What would happen without Net Neutrality – Without Net Neutrality the open internet would be destroyed. Without Net Neutrality the user is the one who suffers. ISP’s are able to slow down data from certain websites so that they have a lower quality experience, this makes for an un-pleasurable experience, and hurts that specific company or website. Take for example Netflix, Netflix is a streaming website and they pay a lot of money to ISP’s to get good streaming for their costumers. Without Net Neutrality, Comcast is able to come in and slow down Netflix’s site to better their own site. This is a loss for Netflix as well as Netflix’s consumers because their streaming bill is going to go up because Netflix is going to have to pay more to the IPS’s but the consumer is going to be paying more for the same material they were getting before (What is Net Neutrality, The Windows Club).New websites and any news startups are going to struggle without Net Neutrality, because they are new they will not be able to afford to pay extra for fast trafficking, therefore their site is going to be slow (What is Net Neutrality, The Windows Club). Net Neutrality is huge for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need an open internet to be able to create business and advertise (Net Neutrality…, FreePress). The loss of neutrality will also be detrimental to minority groups in the US such as the LGBT community, religious groups and minority ethnic groups. Who use the open internet to be able to access education, to organize movements and rallies (Net Neutrality…, FreePress). Without Net Neutrality The large ISP’s are going to be able control who has a voice and who does not (Net Neutrality…, Free Press).