By: MARK VAGELAKOS
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission legislated on the issue of net neutrality. This decision has left Internet groups disappointed and anxious.
Net neutrality is a principle that requires Internet service providers to treat all web data users equally.
On Dec. 21, 2010, the FCC approved a decision that works as a compromise. While the decision states that Internet service providers cannot outright block any content, it does allow them to create several classes of Internet access. The decision does not forbid charging for high-speed access.
This means that a service provider such as AT&T can throttle or restrict access to competitors or websites that do not pay a higher premium, thus creating a tiered system of Internet service.
“I’m against [limits on net neutrality] because if we let the government control what we do on the Internet, they will try and control other things,” senior Andy Barnard said.
Additionally, supporters of complete net neutrality, like savetheinternet.com, believe that allowing providers to discriminate in their service endangers the little guy. Bloggers and small time 0musicians, as well as up-and-coming businesses, will be at a disadvantage to big companies who can pay for faster speeds.
However, opponents of net neutrality believe the Internet’s progress is due to entrepreneurial expansion. Furthermore, opponents of net neutrality say that government regulation on the Internet would only hinder the growth of the Internet, by limiting the money that service providers can make.
“[Regulation would hurt] the expansion of the Internet because companies such as Bright House couldn’t charge extra for certain services or speeds, therefore hurting profits and cutting down on expansion for higher speeds,” senior Gray Floyd said.
Republicans plan to fight the legislation in the upcoming months.