The Internet is in fact a connection of over 70,000 networks, that exchange
data with each other, these networks are managed by a range of Internet Service
Providers, content providers like YouTube and what are referred to as backbone
providers that just provide connectivity services to other networks.
The internet was founded on the principle that companies shouldn’t
optimise the connections of those willing to pay higher fees and thus create a discriminatory
service that creates inequalities across websites and services. This principle
is generally enshrined in Net Neutrality rules, in some cases supported by enforceable
regulations and oversight by a regulatory body.
Across the world, net neutrality is managed in different ways from country to country, and in the main the founding principle is upheld. In the US this is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the EU Net Neutrality is described in Article 3 of EU Regulation 2015/2120. Some EU member countries, such as Slovenia and the Netherlands, have stronger laws, whereas the UK for example has Ofcom for regulation but has no separate law on its own statute books.
There is some difference of opinion on the merits of Net Neutrality. Major
telecommunication companies, along with the usual anti-government-regulation
interest groups, tend to oppose it, arguing that governments shouldn’t tell
Internet service providers how to run their networks, and that it could hamper
innovation.
By contrast, major Internet companies like Google and Microsoft, along
with consumer advocate groups, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), argue
that Internet service providers shouldn’t be able to discriminate against
certain types of connections and content.
Whatever the position it is reasonable to say that the Internet, by and
large has maintained a level playing field when it comes to opportunities the
world over, to innovate and bring products and services to market.
The US as a Standard Setter
FCC, under the Obama administration adopted strong Net Neutrality
guidelines in 2015 when it reclassified broadband internet access service
as a utility under Title II of its Communications Act. This was popular with
general service providers, because it curtailed anti-competitive practices of
incumbent providers. This approach was also consistent to other positions taken
in other countries and regulators.
However, just two year later and led by a new Chair, the FCC have repealed
these rules, despite more than 40 Internet service providers and millions of
regular Internet users calling for it to not do so. This repeal – via a “Restoring
Internet Freedom Order”, also ignored substantial technical evidence submitted
by the EFF. A challenge the repeal was
presented to the US courts in October 2018 at which the Trump administration
came out to defend the new position and urged a federal appeals court to reject
the challenge.
On Feb 1st at the subsequent scheduled hearing the FCC again defended
its decision to repeal net neutrality rules put in place by the Obama
administration while Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel says the
decision to repeal net neutrality put the agency “on the wrong side of
history, wrong side of the law and wrong side of the American people.”
Several internet companies were also part of the legal challenge,
including Mozilla Corp, Vimeo Inc. and Etsy Inc. (ETSY.O), as well as numerous
media and technology advocacy groups and major cities, including New York and
San Francisco. As it stands now, a final decision is expected in the summer
this year.
How can the proposed change affect us?
A good analogy on what the loss of Net Neutrality means from an economic
perspective would be to compare it to the road system, at the moment we all pay
the same road tax by vehicle class and we can for the most part travel on any
road we want (acknowledging physical restrictions exist in some case – i.e.
road widths and wide loads).
But what if the government decided to take a more granular approach, perhaps
on the motorways, they decide to charge variable amounts by lane, with least
cost for the slow lane, a higher cost for the middle lane and the largest cost
for the fast lane. Essentially transforming the ability to travel based on an
additional individuals’ ability to pay.
If the approach went further still and took into account distances
travelled to, then the social dynamic for an area would change dramatically
with the wealthy being able to travel great distances at speed and the less
well off being constrained to a more limited area and likely stuck in traffic
for great periods of the day. The model would reduce choice and opportunity for
some while increase the wealth of others.
While the government (telecom provider) are not directly interested in
the end users, they do have their focus on the big money-making operators on
the road network (Internet), these being vehicle suppliers (Amazon), road
maintenance and development providers (Google), and possibly even in care
entertainment providers (Netflix) etc., if they secure incomes from these, you
can bet this will trickle down to the end users in time.
So, if the US succeeds in making this change then it is inevitable that
this will ripple out around the world, with it becoming an economic imperative
as all big communications and internet corporates lobby to secure the same
opportunities to that obtained by those in the US.
Potential to seriously impact all
Certainly in my long and sometimes distinguished career in technology the
Internet for me, has been the greatest invention given to the world that has
removed barriers, to deliver near equal opportunities to those that can
connect, enabling anyone to innovate and build a business, regardless of where
they are.
“Open Source” licencing arrangements providing free access to
programming languages, application technologies and even delivery environments,
further enhancing accessible opportunities to an enormous range of people that
otherwise would be excluded.
Net Neutrality has been fundamental for the Internet invention to
flourish and a primary reason for why our lives have become so digitally oriented.
Removing Net Neutrality can only create an environment and culture that will
stifle innovation and worse, start to increase barriers to people of limited
means, and we already have too much disparity in the world with how wealth
generated via the Internet is distributed.
While the UK is a member of the EU, there exists a strong standard for
maintaining Net Neutrality, however when the UK leaves, things at least within
this country, possibly influenced by pressure through trade agreements, could
lead to a change like that under way in the US. This cannot be allowed to
happen.
There is something that you can do
Change.org’s net neutrality campaign was launched in June of 2017, ahead
of the FCC’s vote to end the Obama era protections. It marks the first time
Change.org had launched their own petition in support of a policy issue and
became a central place for people throughout the US to take action with over 2
million people signing the petition.
Get involved, sign the petition and also head over to Battle for
the Net and sign up there as well. Both places will provide you with up to date
information and ways to take action. This fight is not over, it is imperative
however, that more join the campaign to help Net Neutrality.
Change.org Save Net
Neutrality
Battle for the NET
Thank
you
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