The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to dismantle the regulations imposed by the Barack Obama government to ensure equal access to the Internet, which will allow companies to charge more users or block access to certain web pages.
The agency that regulates communications in the United States announced on Tuesday that it will repeal the regulatory framework of net neutrality, a cardinal principle that guarantees equal access to content on the Internet.
The plan of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gives carte blanche to Internet Service Providers (ISP) to alter the quality and decrease the transfer speed of certain web pages, according to their interests or business agreements. Connectivity carriers, among these AT & T, Verizon and Comcast, may also arbitrarily impose additional fees on their subscribers if they want access to certain large data-consuming websites, such as the popular Netflix movie and series streaming service .
The decision affects the ability of users to access content, services and networks.
The announcement, made by the head of the FCC, Ajit Pai, marks the last turn in a political dispute in which both sides claim to represent a "free and open" internet. The FCC maintains that ISPs don't invest in critical infrastructure because the regulatory framework is too restrictive and prevents them from making better returns on their investments and discourages innovation. But consumer advocates argue that cancellation violates online freedom of choice.
What exactly is net neutrality?
"Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers and governments regulating most of the Internet must treat all data on the Internet the same, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or method of communication.[2] For instance, under these principles, internet service providers are unable to intentionally block, slow down or charge money for specific websites and online content." (Wikipedia) In other words, no connectivity provider can block or prioritize access to content by virtue of its business objectives.
Would this decision affect the rate you pay for Internet service?
Large broadband providers may start charging extra to other communications companies so that users can access their content faster than their competitors. The companies in turn would pocket these fees from the end user who pays them.
On other words, you could hire a basic Internet service, but to get access to certain pages at optimum speed and quality, you would have to pay an additional fee.
Will the Internet have two speeds?
The measure would allow digital service operators to purchase priority bandwidth to offer their service to customers with higher quality through a fast track.By favoring these companies with preferential treatment, telecommunications companies would slow down the connection speed to sites that don't pay for any differential treatment, hindering the growth potential of any small online company.
What would the Internet be like without the guiding principle of neutrality?
Without impartiality, telecommunication operators and broadband providers will have more freedom to regulate traffic and block or restrain content depending on certain controls or economic interests.
Some pages would download faster than others in other cases, there will be a traffic redirection. For example, if you try to visit YouTube it may be suggested to visit Vimeo. In the end, each cybernaut will have access to an Internet different from the other, contrary to the original idea of information universality.
The FCC released an order for "Restoring Freedom on the Internet" that will be voted on at a FCC meeting on December 14.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality
All credit for the image: https://popularresistance.org/netflix-backs-out-of-fight-for-net-neutrality/