Commentary: Support Open Internet Rules: Net Neutrality and What It Means

By Lanai Jarrico

On April 26^th, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a plan to undo the 2015 rules that implemented net neutrality by reclassify internet service providers as common carriers and reversing Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 in favor of paid prioritizing.  

This plan will be voted on by the FCC - May 18^, 2017.

What is Title II & Net Neutrality?

 

Net Neutrality is essentially the pipeline via the internet, meaning your cable internet, LTE wireless (phone) internet or however you are receiving information via the internet. 

 

Internet providers are not allowed to arbitrarily choose favorites in terms of the content that you consume.  For example, if you like to use a particular search engine and your roommate or family members’ likes to use others competing search engines.  A search engine they use could have the power to pay your internet service provider to choose what you use.

 

Internet companies should not have the right to pay your internet provider to slow down their competitor search engines and choose which ones run faster.

Title II net neutrality prevents Internet Service providers (ISPs) from limiting or manipulating the choices you make online. It also creates a level playing field so that larger companies cannot undermine small companies before they can grow and expand.

 What does it mean for internet users like you if internet neutrality is not enforced?

It means that you basically will have no control over your internet due to your provider choosing favorites because they are getting paid more by one competitor over another. For example in terms of a virtual world resident, if you like gaming on your favorite platform *coughs* Second Life *cough* and another virtual platform that may not offer the same options you like pays your provider more. It will slow down (LAG) your choice and give faster service via an internet fast lanes on the other competing platform. *GASPS*

If it matters to you to have open internet freedom, the FCC is taking public comments and will write rules to either reinstate open internet or damage our internet freedom.

  Go to www.gofccyourself.com and be part of restoring internet freedom and the unfair targeting of small starts ups. It is a direct link to the FCC proceedings page. Under 17-108 “Restoring Internet Freedom”, select express and fill out the form.  

 

Comment directly to Ajit Pai, the chairman of the FCC that you specifically support strong net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of Internet service providers.

Everyone who has a following such as a blog, social media outlet or any other way to spread the word should get involved in this movement and share this post!!

May 18^th is fast approaching!

To everyone who believes in and participates in net neutrality, thank you for supporting open internet freedom.

Lanai Jarrico
Title II: Communications Act of 1934 http://transition.fcc.gov/Reports/1934new.pdf

 

Reprinted with permission from the Second Life Enquirer