Net NeutralityInsert Name
Comm 302Insert Date
Insert ProfNet NeutralityNet neutrality can simply be defined as internet freedom or an open internet in which the consumers have the freedom to make their own choice on which internet service provider to subscribe to, what amount of data to upload or download or what kind of application to use. In other words it is the principals which guide the use of internet. It protects our rights when using internet and gives us the freedom to use whatever internet service providers we may wish to use online. The internet service providers should provide an open network and should not in any way discriminate against any content, application or changing service providers. For instance, Time Warner, Comcast, Verizon, and others should treat all your data packets in the same way regardless of their content, source or importance.
Let’s say, for example, you use Netflix and Hulu, and in most cases you switch between the two. Supporters of net neutrality demand that your broadband Internet service provider should not be able to charge either Hulu or Netflix, or any other company that relies on the Internet, for a faster connection to you and any other customer. Nor should the internet service provider be able to charge you more to access certain services. In the United States the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is based in Washington Dc is the agency responsible for formulating laws which are related to net neutrality (Hahn & Wallsten, 2006). Without the application of net neutrality, providers of network can block or slow down the access to those sites they somehow don’t like. They can as well determine what equipment and services users can be able to access, decline or allow user to visit popular chat rooms and as well assign higher charges for those downloads on demand.
In solving this issue the law must balance between protecting the rights of Internet service providers in order for them to manage their business and as well protect the interest of the public. It should not favour either of the side. As long as the rights of consumers need to be protected, without the service providers the services won’t be available hence both parties should be given the same weight by the law.The internet can be analysed as inter-connection of wires which are connected to central hubs which are referred to as as routers. The routers get data from servers or individuals, sort and redistribute this data appropriately. When the demand is a bit low, the routers don’t experience any problem in redistributing the data. However the problem comes in when a lot of data, which is than the router can handle pops in and the router is forced to start a queuing system. This queuing system is source of the problem of net neutrality. At this point, internet service providers would be tempted to interfere with the system by acting on what they feel is more important. Since the bandwidth is limited someone has to suffer for another one to benefit.
Applying net neutrality, the data packets should be distributed in the order of first in first out. In this system all packets are treated in the same way regardless of their source, content, origin or size .The system makes effort to deliver data depending on their arrival, which is regarded as the right way to handle data redistribution in an overwhelming situation. However the worry is that packets will be dropped based on the decisions of the internet service providers. A good example is the case where the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) has filed a case to stop the Comcast company from setting its routers to slow down the transfer of packets from peer-to-peer programs of its customers. Comcast and other internet service providers of like minds disagree with the issue of net neutrality saying that, this is an issue which does not even exist.
Although there is a lot of debate going on about net neutrality, one outstanding thing is that internet services providers are not up to accepting this .However despite all the issues raised by the internet service providers the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created a policy to promote the nature of the public Interest. According to this policy consumers have freedom entitled to them by the law to access any content of their choice from the internet. More to that, they are also entitled to subject to the needs of law enforcement, run application and services of their own choice (Musacchio, Schwartz & Walrand, 2009). Also they have the freedom to choose and connect to their choice of legal devices, as long as they do not harm the network. This provides equal opportunities to competition in all aspects.
With all the confusion and issues concerning net neutrality my take is that it should be supported. I strongly support the government through FCC for coming up with policies to guide the internet service providers. The advantages are many and among them includes;
There is no throttling:
Throttling is the intentional slowing of internet services by internet service providers due to congestion on the system. The bandwidth provided is always limited and during such peak moments the service providers can easy be tempted to alter the system operation. Slowing down internet services to some clients while boosting others ends up as the only solution. However one party enjoys in the expense of the other and this is where the problem is. Currently the internet service providers cannot slow the down load or upload rates of transfer depending upon what people are accessing.
Monitoring:
Currently there is a lot of monitoring in the internet by the internet service providers. This means that they can access all the information being redistributed in the internet. Without net neutrality however, the internet service providers would use this information for their own gain. This could violate the rights of people to privacy.
Ant-competition tactile
Competition is one thing everyone can avoid given the opportunity to do so. Without net neutrality, internet service providers would block away the product ,services and any connection which would allow their competitors channel their products are services to their customers,
There are no restrictions:
Internet users have the freedom to choose on what part of the internet to access as long as it’s within the government jurisdiction. For instance there are no restrictions over file sharing, video conferencing, blogs, and voice over IP, etc.
No Censorship:
One can download or upload any amount of data besides the rates of connection.
Internet charges
Most internet service providers feel that charges should increase with more access to the internet and therefore the more you access the internet the more you should pay.However net neutrality doesn’t allow this.
Capitalism:
Net neutrality can be equated to free market. Competing companies are given the same chance and opportunity to compete. Also it allows easier access to start-ups to access potential customers
In conclusion net neutrality should be supported as it protects the rights of individuals and ensures that internet service provider perform their duties as per the law for the benefit of both parties. Every person has a right to privacy and a right to be served fairly. Without net neutrality, internet providers would for sure try to maximise their gain by channelling their resources where there is much gain. In this case Throttling would be a common case hence defiling the rights of consumers. Also consumers should always freedom of choice and should be allowed to make their own choice on which service provide to go with. Without net neutrality this would not be possible as most of the service providers, as in the case before, would try to restrict the consumer on particular choices.
References
Hahn, R. W., & Wallsten, S. (2006). The economics of net neutrality. The Economists’ Voice, 3(6).
Musacchio, J., Schwartz, G., & Walrand, J. (2009). A two-sided market analysis of provider investment incentives with an application to the net-neutrality issue. Review of Network Economics, 8(1).
Rutkin, A. (2014). What the net neutrality ruling means for you and me. New Scientist, 221(2954), 24. doi:10.1016/s0262-4079(14)60229-3
Thesocietypages.org,. (2015). (Almost) Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Net Neutrality » Cyborgology. Retrieved 8 March 2015, from http://thesocietypages.org/
