The FCC is proposing rule changes regarding internet providers that could spell the end for any true net neutrality. Providers will be able to charge companies more money for preferential treatment, the extra cost of which would be inevitably passed on to the consumers.
The changes would allow providers to charge a premium to companies for access to their faster internet speeds, which would be reflected in the cost of content from those companies--effectively locking out those who can't pay increased fees and giving an advantage to big corporations.
Net neutrality is a closely-defended right among internet users, but the FCC is pushing ahead anyway. The idea behind net neutrality is that providers cannot discriminate between data, having to treat everything that comes through their systems equally. These new regulations would go directly against that objective under the guise of "commercially reasonable" pricing.
The FCC claims these rule changes are meant to fulfill the Open Internet 2010 laws that were struck down earlier this year. The new rules would also make it very difficult for new startups, essentially giving the upper hand to already-huge companies over what could be the next Facebook who can't afford increased pricing.
The realistic fear is that this would limit the internet's role as our great equalizer, restricting content to those who can afford to pay more. The web is meant to be a level playing field for information, content, and entertainment for everyone, but these changes would serve to effectively widen the gap further between the rich and poor. This is the case with many other services in our society already, and attempting to do the same with reliable access to information should be taken seriously.
There were successful campaigns to stop the last bills that threatened internet freedoms, SOPA and PIPA, but these new plans are still in the approval process. The exact written rule changes will be circulated internally at the FCC and then released for public comment, which they should expect to be highly critical.
via The Verge
