The abundance of the Internet and the way it has evolved into our everyday has made internet access a necessity. With this new found importance of the internet, the question becomes whether cable and telephone companies that provide internet access (i.e. AT&T, Comcast) should be allowed to capitalize on the possibility of creating deals with other internet service sites and allowing for faster access to these sites than the competitors? Or should we continue the Internet’s current status of “net neutrality”? Net Neutrality preserves the equal treatment of all web pages and packets sent between providers and carriers online. To get rid of this policy, a system similar to that of cable television would be put in its place where a “tiered” payment system would determine the quality of Internet service you received.
Companies like Amazon, Ebay, Google, Facebook, and Yahoo all support Net Neutrality. These high tech companies all began a small companies that online became the million/billion dollar corporations they are today because of the equal treatment given to websites under Net Neutrality. If Net Neutrality was to be abolished, small websites would no longer fail or succeed based on their own merit or because of the user’s choice to use the website’s services, but because of their relationship and financial deal with a Internet Network provider. With this censorship of small industry online, the lack of innovation online could be the result of a “tiered” payment system.
Other companies and organizations like AT&T and American Conservative Union feel that revoking Net Neutrality would allow for better internet service by creating competition among network providers and by meeting Internet users individual needs, improved ability to download movies and fewer span. These organizations feel that Net Neutrality and similar legislation prohibits the basic principles of capitalism.
While I do get frustrated every time the “buffering” symbol appears when I am trying to download a movie online, the thought that I would not have complete control over what sites I get to view concerns me. I would feel that part of my freedom was taken away, and if the internet provides anything it is freedom to access whatever information the user desires and to have the ability to chose where that information comes from. While capitalism and free market are key components of the American economy, legislation and regulations like Net Neutrality ensure that the Internet stays a free market and is not overtaken by large companies trying to create monopolies and stifle small business. This is why I feel Net Neutrality should be maintained
