All Things Net Neutrality

[Dirtbag59]

I actually couldn't believe no one had made a thread on this yet but I do believe it's easily the most important related issue since SOPA. I'll try to limit any personal commentary and try to use this initial post to provide a primer on what Net Neutrality is and why its important. Obviously I am very pro Net Neutrality so my upcoming posts will reflect that. So with that out of the way lets begin.

I'm sure some of you are familiar with John Olivers recent rant that went Viral but if you're relatively new to the issue this is a pretty informative and entertaining place to start. (Update: Tom Wheeler was asked directly about the John Oliver piece of which you can see the hilarious result on the right).


The video on the left provides a quick and simple explanation of the net neutrality issue with pretty pictures. The video on the right is just a little more of the same though slightly less 'fancy.'


Great website to find out more about net neutrality and easy ways to get involved: Free Press

Net Neutrality Timeline and Cliff Notes (Link to Full More Detailed Timeline):
- October 2002 - The FCC decided that instead of classifying ISP's as common carriers (ie regulating internet service as a utility) that they should be classified as Information Services hoping that in theory it would encourage investment, innovation, and increased competition.

- September 2007 - Comcast throttles bittorrent traffic under the guise of managing network congestion though it initially denies doing so. The FCC started investigating around January 2008 and in August 2008 ordered Comcast to stop throttling BitTorrent.

Obviously most people associate bittorrent with piracy but for people in the open source community it can easily offer download speeds 3 to 4 times faster than traditional web site based downloads.

- December 2010 - FCC Issues Open Internet Order effectively spelling out and enforcing net neutrality. The order still allowed 'reasonable network management' for mobile 3G/4G etc but effectively banned it from wired home internet. At the moment mobile net neutrality is also a point of interest.

- January 2011 - Verizon sues FCC claiming the FCC had no right to issue the 2010 Open Internet Order.

- January 2014 - Court of Appeals rules in Verizons favor saying that with ISP's classified as Information Services the FCC cannot enforce the Open Internet Directive. Court vaguely suggest that reclassifying ISP's as a Title II Common Carrier would grant the FCC the authority to enforce Net Neutrality.

- May 2014 - FCC Chair Tom Wheeler offers initial proposal of new Open Internet rules which allow for ISP's to charge for Fast Lane access. Proposal allows for transparency and absolutely forbids slowing down lawful content. Passes 3-2 vote among FCC chairs predictably among party lines. It is now open to public comment.

Critics cite the rules as to vague leaving plenty of room for ISP's to abuse the system and squeeze out competitors not to mention it effectively kills net neutrality.

- Optimist have cited that the proposal issued by FCC Chairman Wheeler is the more practical way to salvage net neutrality as its likely Title II reclassification would involve years of lawsuits from the ISP's. It's also said that reclassification would be a bait and switch in terms of regulatory costs. It's also been said since Wheeler, a former telecom lobbyist, is near the end of his career that he's more likely to stand firm in defense of the open internet since he wouldn't have to worry about upsetting potential future employers.

- Critics and Pessimists view Wheeler as a Telecom shrill and an extension of crony capitalism. Theres also been numerous outcries towards Obama's silence on the issue especially after making Net Neutrality a key part of his election platform both in 2008 and 2010.

Theres obviously a lot more to it than this but hopefully this will give you an idea of the basics.

Current Events:
The Net Neutrality Battle May Be Headed To Your Phone

Verizon Lobbyist: Dumping Net Neutrality Helps Blind, Deaf, Disabled - Business Insider