Understanding Net Neutrality Rules
Bright Line Rules: The first three rules ban practices that are known to harm the Open Internet. These bright line rules are the basis of Net Neutrality. They state that the following are harmful to the users of the internet: Blocking, Throttling, and Paid Prioritization.
“No Blocking: broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.”
The PeakeNet Perspective: The issue with allowing internet service providers to block legal content is that it requires a higher level of network monitoring of their customers. In order to block a website from your service the provider would need to actively monitor what websites you are viewing. So in a simpler sense, you will have Verizon 24/7 looking over your shoulder while you’re reading important emails. PeakeNet only looks at your connection to ensure that the speeds you are paying for are what you relieve. We do not monitor, track, or store the data related to the type or specific sites our customers are visiting online.
In addition to the privacy concerns there are also issues of free speech. An internet service provider dictating what websites their customers have access to is wrong. The strengths and value to an open internet is that it allows for increased free speech and access to information. Governments have been toppled as a result of their citizens having access to methods of communication and increased transparency. When internet companies can block access to legal content it is a short step from regulators being able to do the same thing. Free speech and open communication is one of the things which separate governments who are guided by the people and those who oppress their citizens.
“No Throttling: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.”
The PeakeNet Perspective: The term throttling refers to an internet company slowing down your internet speeds, usually after a customer has transferred a certain amount of data. The repealing of net neutrality rules would permit an internet company to slow down your usage based on what you are doing online. Imagine that your internet provider launches it’s own streaming service and then begins to slow down the speeds of any competing streaming service. Another example is the recent purchase of Yahoo! by Verizon. The repeal of the Net Neutrality Rules means that Verizon could choose to slow down any Google services because it is in their interest to promote the search platform they now own.
We feel that people should be able to use the internet in the ways they want to without interference from their internet service provider.
“No Paid Prioritization: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind—in other words, no “fast lanes.” This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates.”
The PeakeNet Perspective: It also allows them to create “fast lanes” which would allow certain types of traffic to be delivered faster for a fee. The internet companies could charge Netflix or YouTube in exchange for prioritizing their content. The issue with that is it would likely result in content providers passing those costs onto you. People shouldn't have to pay more money based on the type of content they use online. Cord cutting is the recent trend by people to not pay for cable TV and only receive their entertainment content online. This trend has had an impact on the bottom line of the big companies. Being able to charge for “fast lanes” is a backdoor way for legacy companies to generate more money from cord cutters instead of having to innovate and meet consumers needs.