IntroductionThis paper takes the look at Net Neutrality’s impact in business and the debate it has recently started. Net Neutrality is a network design concept that argues for broadband network providers to be completely detached from what information is sent over their networks. It makes the argument that no bit of information should be given priority over another. This implies that an information network such as the internet is most efficient and useful to the public when it is less focused on a particular audience rather attentive to multiple users. (Net Neutrality: definition)In 2011, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) implemented regulations to prevent Internet providers from limiting users’ access to specific websites and services.
The U.S. Court of Appeals decided that although the FCC has the legal authority to regulate broadband Internet, the rules were based on statutes that pertain only to telecommunications services. A 2005 ruling previously in the Supreme Court, describe Internet provider as providing information and not telecommunication service.With this form of regulation, a provider is not able switch to tiered plans that charge additional fees for access to services like Netflix or YouTube. Consequently a person’s online experience would depend on what they are willing to spend.
As the number of sites on the Internet continues to grow and the quality of data becomes more sophisticated broadband service providers are seeking to regulate how data flows to users through their already taxed networks. Net Neutrality’s Background and RelevanceNet Neutrality or Network Neutrality, the idea has always been even though it did not have a name. It predates the internet starting with the telegraph, specificall. . Cable Box Comments. N.
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, n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. org/Museum/Pacific_Telegraph_Act_1860.html>.Wu, Tim, Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination. Journal of Telecommunications and High Technology Law, Vol. 2, p. 141, 2003. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=388863 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.388863
