Big corporations have an image of being mustache twirling, tie the damsel on rail road tracks villains. That’s not fair, except when the companies help project these perceptions on to themselves when they do things like this.
Earlier in the year the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), proposed new rules that would allow internet providers to charge internet companies, like YouTube for faster lanes. This creates a two tier system, basically meaning there will be a slow lane and a fast lane to the companies willing to pay for it.
Telecommunications lawyer, George Foote, commented on the matter of slow and fast lanes by saying people should think about it as a ” …fast lane for everybody and a hyper speed lane for others”.
As the sweat drips down their face, everyone has that look when they see another person casually walking by in the express lane at Disney World, as they stand in line with the others who paid good money to get in too.
Imagine if the internet was like the lines at Disney World every day, to the people where this sounds great, they are probaly reading this laughing with a monocle and top hat but other consumers will feel the effects of this bill if it’s passed, not only in their wallets but also in the way they consume content.
The internet is basically a free enterprise; companies like Facebook can be overtaken by a newcomer because everything is on a leveled playing field. The bill could not only create monopolies, but also make it harder for the smaller websites to prosper. For example, Netflix could pay a premium for their content to be streamed more reliably at a price other newly formed companies might not be able to afford.
Comcast is the second biggest buyer of government influence behind defense contractor Northrop Grumman. So what’s about read might raise an eyebrow or two for some and a middle finger for others (ohh what a rebel ).
President Obama appointed Tom Wheeler as the new head of the FCC who also happened to be the top lobbyist for the cable/wireless providers and a venture capitalist who has money invested in some of these companies. This can considered worrisome because it’s like having an inmate run the prison or a beauty pageant contestant be her own judge.
Earlier in the year, Netflix was in negotiations with Comcast and other cable/phone providers. During that time they had a sizeable drop off in download speeds until an agreement was reached. If the bill is passed, occurrences like this could happen more often as the cable companies play hardball.’
I bet my laptop right now this had nothing to do with wanting more money, I be-…hold up these mobsters have come to collect my laptop. Alright, I’m now finishing the article on a computer that still uses Microsoft Windows 98.
College student Eric Smith shared his thoughts on the issue,” its injustice, I don’t believe it’s fair that we can be charged to have access to certain sites. At the end of the day people are trying to get to the money”, said Smith.
The FCC set four principles of an open internet in 2005; with these principles being
-Consumers deserve access the lawful Internet content of their choice.
-Consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement
-Consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network
– Consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers.
The Open Internet Order of 2010 added regulations to further support net neutrality that are transparency, no blocking and no unreasonable discrimination. To sum it up, Internet Service Providers (ISP) cannot block lawful content, all users be treated equally and providers must disclose their network management practices.
It’s no secret that less and less people have been watching television, people’s entertainment and information mostly comes from the internet these days. Hypothetically, if this law passes sites like YouTube, Amazon or Facebook would be like HBO is to television and users would pay for a ”premium” package get them.
Over one million individuals have voiced their complaints to the FCC about the issue. You could voice yours too and spread awareness about this matter.
Like and follow for more articles and content that matters. Comment with your thoughts on this or suggestions on what should be covered next. Go through the archives for more things that matter.
Ian Made Something 