By Lanai Jarrico
On April 26th, 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?
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 18th is fast approaching!
To everyone who believes in and participates in net
neutrality, thank you for supporting open internet freedom.
Reprinted with permission from the Second Life Enquirer
Good luck :(
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