Well maybe not. Net Neutrality is defined as “the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.” In other words, what we have created is an internet that is a level playing field; no matter who you are or how much money or power your yield, you can provide the same access to your content as the big guys.
Unfortunately, this neutral territory is at high risk due to the actions recently taken by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to overturn the regulations established in 2015.
According to a recent poll, an overwhelming number of people, from both sides of the political fence, support net neutrality. 76% of all Americans, 81% Democrats and 73% Republicans are in support of protecting net neutrality.
This big question is If net neutrality were to truly go away, how will it affect us? Unfortunately, it could very much affect us in a negative manner. What is at stake is bandwidth. Right now, people have just as much access to your organization’s website and event content as any other company out there. A company like, Netflix, for example, may be worth a lot more in dollars than your organization, but the access to their content and your content live in a neutral and equal place.
Without net neutrality, there is the risk that bandwidth will go to the highest bidder; a big content provider like Netflix could better afford and ensure that their content is seen, while the smaller guys could potentially go invisible. Those just starting out will be faced with many barriers to get their content found.
Though this is all speculative, it should be considered and addressed. How this could really play out, is yet to be seen. Without net neutrality, we the people are putting our trust in the government to protect our internet and keep it the level playing field we have all come to enjoy and count on – so there’s that.
For more information, check out this page. And may the net remain neutral for all!
