The Battle for the Internet
Overturning Net
Neutrality
By: Joel Godden
Although
you might not be familiar with the term net neutrality, it plays a very large
role in over everyday lives. Net
neutrality states that broadband network providers should be completely
detached from the information that is sent over their networks. Basically what
they are saying is that internet providers aren’t allowed to slow internet
speeds from some web sites and raise them for others; however, the U.S. Supreme
Court moved the American Economy closer free
market side of our mixed economy,
they did this by take a laissez faire approach
and removing the government regulation from internet providers such as Comcast,
Time warner Cable, and AT&T.
As you can see from the image, without net neutrality
internet providers would be allowed to charge what they wanted for services
such as, google, Netflix, and Skype. Although the abolishment of net neutrality
moves us closer to a free market it
is not a good thing. According to Adam
Smith, the government plays a key role in making sure the economy remains
balanced. Removing net neutrality has allowed the power to shift from the house
holds to the firms. Companies that already make large sums of money will now be
able to take more money out of the hands of spenders.
Some
may argue that a free market is the
base of our country; however, the real base of our country is the constitution
and bill of rights. And within the bill of rights we are guaranteed the right
to free speech. The abolishment is a clear violation of that right. It limits
what we can access and impedes on our fundamental rights. It allows the
companies to block content and speech from the user. Whether it’s a website
they don’t like or an app the directly competes with one of their own. Not only
that but it also has many negative
externalities for smaller websites or future startups. After all, how will
smaller companies be able to compete with large companies on an internet where
you have to pay for a faster connection? Another problem that will occur
without net neutrality is “double dipping”. Companies are being paid for
internet access and now they want to be paid for what you do while you’re on
the internet.
We are
in an age where technology has become a part of our everyday lives. Computers
are used almost, if not, every day. Now companies what to use this fact to make
even more money. The loss of net neutrality will be felt in a lot of different
places. The abolishment will also stifle advance and progress.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/net-neutrality
This is a really interesting topic, I have never really researched this before. I had no idea companies were attempting to do this, but it makes sense since it would be an easy way for them to make a lot more money. I definitely agree with your point, net neutrality, though it is not a free market, creates a balance in the economy. This is especially evident since technology is becoming more and more of a need verses a want. Great article!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Joel. While it may not be in the spirit of a free market, regulations must exist to allow fair trade between individuals. So in many ways, these regulations may allow an even more free and diverse market. In the past, regulations like this have existed on businesses in the US for both preventing monopolies and trusts, so it seems reasonable that new regulations would surface online to keep balance between companies.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely shocked by this concept that these companies are looking at. While it would bring in more money for their company, their are those negative externalities that would play into this economic system. In my opinion, it would be a really unfair system, because being raised by a single parent, I've watched my mom struggle to pay the bills and have to take on multiple part time jobs to keep us afloat. Therefore, with Pewaukee doing so much homework based online, it would be unfair to me to have that disadvantage to everyone else. Hence I support the idea of net neutrality highly. Impressive topic!
ReplyDeleteReading this, I found it very shocking that network companies are trying to go in this direction. I strongly disagree with what they are trying to accomplish because it is unfair for those of us who don't use the internet as often, to have to contribute to their company to make more money for themselves. I think that it is crazy that even technology is starting to become a big part in our economy today, and the fact that something used in our every day lives, is going to start to have a higher price on it is ridiculous in my opinion. Therefore, I strongly support the idea of net neutrality.
ReplyDeleteFrom the major companies standpoint, I'd be all over this, as it allows for them squeeze every penny out of consumers. While it may ruin customer satisfaction for paying more, most of the companies know the major websites are a near necessity for internet users. It's the smaller companies though that take the short end of the stick, and will need to fight and claw to make sure this new tiered pricing doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteBecause "without net neutrality internet providers would be allowed to charge what they wanted for services such as, google, Netflix, and Skype," net neutrality can serve as a price ceiling. Although the tiering system does give an advantage to people who seem to be better off financially, it is still ensured that people can afford to use basic internet services with their data and internet plan.
ReplyDeleteI totally support net neutrality and keeping the balance within the economy but I still can see why a company would want to make this kind of a move. They know that people obviously need internet and would go extreme measures to have good connection with it. Especially when it is a family and they have kids that go to a school that has assignments online, like us. Nobody wants to have slow internet so the company would be making a lot more money. But, for the families struggling it might not be a good thing. It would be unfair to a lot of people. This article really got me thinking.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic, I have never heard of this concept before that cable companies are trying to make more money and have more control over internet websites. I don't think the idea of net neutrality would go over well with a lot of customers having to pay more for some sites or not having the extra money and get slow internet.
ReplyDeleteThis would be very beneficial for the larger companies that know their business is something that will always be needed by people around the world. The internet is something that everyone will always want to have good and fast connection, so if they bumped up the price, it would be extremely profitable for them. The consumers could be a little awry at first with price increase, but in the long run, it would definitely be a great idea for the bigger companies that will always be around.
ReplyDelete