We all must have heard the term ‘Net Neutrality‘ but only a few of us would know about it. When we go online we expect to be connected to whatever website we want and to have access to whatever content we want. In other words, we expect that our internet service provider isn’t messing with the data and is connecting us to all websites, applications, and content we choose.
What is Net Neutrality?
Another name for this principle is network neutrality, or “net neutrality,” which forbids internet service providers from obstructing or tampering with any content or websites that we choose to visit. It implies that our ISPs ought to offer us open networks and refrain from restricting or treating any applications differently that operate on those networks unfairly. Just as our phone company shouldn’t control who we call or what we say on those calls, neither should our ISP have any say in what we see or share online.
The idea of “net neutrality” holds that Internet service providers and telecommunications firms should treat all traffic on the internet similarly and without bias. The service providers shouldn’t distinguish this service from other online traffic types and groups.
History of Network Neutrality
- Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, first used the term “network neutrality” in a 2003 article on online discrimination. At the time, Wi-Fi router use was prohibited by AT&T, while access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) was prohibited by Comcast and other broadband providers. Wu advocated for anti-discrimination laws because he believed that internet providers’ propensity to stifle emerging technology would ultimately hinder innovation.
- An initial attempt at internet anti-discrimination regulations was made by the Bush-era FCC in a 2005 policy statement. It made it illegal for internet service providers to obstruct access to legitimate content or to stop users from connecting their own devices to their internet connections.
- In accordance with this policy, BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer file-sharing programme that was frequently used for digital piracy but also had legitimate purposes, was subject to a 2008 FCC decision forcing Comcast to stop blocking connections that used it.
- Comcast filed a lawsuit against the FCC, claiming it had overreached its authority. Agreed, a federal judge decided that the FCC had not proven it was entitled to enforce the 2005 policy statement.
- Later that year, the FCC proposed a new plan that alarmed supporters of net neutrality because they thought it would permit internet “fast lanes.” Comedian John Oliver was offended by the concept and urged fans of his programme Last Week Tonight to submit comments expressing their support for net neutrality.
- The FCC’s website crashed due to the volume of comments. 21.9 million comments were finally sent to the agency over the matter, breaking the record set by Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction.”
- In the end, then-FCC chair Wheeler reversed course and chose to reclassify internet service providers as Title II carriers, albeit with less regulatory requirements than landline phone companies.
- After the FCC enacted its comprehensive net neutrality regulation in 2015, telecom companies sued it once more. The FCC eventually won support from the federal court, which declared that the 2015 rules were lawful, after it had previously rejected the agency’s attempts to impose net neutrality regulations.
- The Supreme Court, which has not yet heard the case, received an appeal from an industry organisation against that ruling.
- In the meantime, the 2016 election resulted in a shift in the FCC’s leadership. President Trump named Republican FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai as the organization’s new head in January 2017. He declared in April that he intended to undo the 2015 net neutrality ruling.
- The comments poured in on the FCC website once more. However, this time, observers saw that a significant portion of the comments—many of which were critical to net neutrality—were submitted by bots rather than by real individuals.
- The 2015 restrictions were essentially repealed in their entirety by the FCC vote in December 2017. The common-carrier designation for broadband providers is eliminated under the FCC’s new regulations, along with any limitations on content banning and throttling.
- The new regulations simply mandate that internet service providers reveal details about their network-management procedures in place of those limitations. The Federal Trade Commission will now be in charge of shielding customers from purported breaches of net neutrality.
- However, the FTC is limited to enforcement; it is unable to establish new regulations. That implies that the FCC has limited options if a net neutrality breach is not also prohibited by current fair-competition legislation. While it may be illegal to outright block a rival, it may not be illegal to create fast lanes for businesses that pay extra for preferential treatment.
What’s the argument for network neutrality
Network neutrality provides equal opportunities for new websites and internet applications to establish themselves amongst the user space. They worry that without net neutrality, the internet would become less congenial to new companies and innovative ideas. For example, if large ISPs begin to charge extra from video streaming sites to deliver video content to the customers, it could not be easy to negotiate deals with dozens of network owners for the next YouTube to get traction. In February 2015, the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) approved new and stronger network neutrality rules that regulate internet access like a public utility. Network neutrality supporters hailed the proposal but the opponents say it will lead to excessive regulation of the internet. The regulations also face challenges in the courts as multiple telecom industry groups have used to stop the new rules arguing that they exceed the FCC’s authority. We all should be in favor of Network Neutrality as it treats all the data on the Internet the same and does not distinguish or charge differently by user, website, platform or application. Under these principles, internet service providers are not able to interfere with the speed or charge money for specific websites and online content. P.S. The views mentioned in favor of Network Neutrality are completely mine and may vary individual to individual.
Features of Network neutrality
- Equal Treatment of Internet Traffic: Under network neutrality, all internet traffic is treated equally, regardless of the source, destination, or type of content. This means that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) cannot block, slow down, or prioritize certain types of traffic over others.
- Free and Open Access to Information: Network neutrality ensures that all users have access to the same information and content online, without interference from ISPs or other entities. This promotes freedom of speech and equal access to information.
- Innovation and Competition: Network neutrality fosters innovation and competition by providing a level playing field for all internet companies and startups. This allows new players to enter the market and compete with established companies on an equal footing.
- Consumer Choice: Network neutrality provides consumers with the freedom to choose which websites, applications, and services they want to use online. ISPs cannot restrict access to certain websites or force users to use specific services.
- Economic Benefits: Network neutrality has economic benefits by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and competition. It also encourages investment in broadband infrastructure, which benefits businesses and consumers alike.
- Preventing Discrimination and Unfair Practices: Network neutrality prevents discrimination and unfair practices by ISPs that may harm certain users or businesses. This includes blocking or slowing down specific websites or services, charging extra fees for access to certain content, or creating fast lanes for preferred content providers.
- Protecting Consumer Privacy: Network neutrality protects consumer privacy by ensuring that ISPs cannot track or monitor their online activities without their consent. This helps to prevent the misuse of personal data and protects the rights of internet users.
- Promoting Digital Equality: Network neutrality promotes digital equality by ensuring that everyone has access to the same high-quality internet experience, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. This helps to bridge the digital divide and provides opportunities for underserved communities to access important services and information online.
- Supporting Education and Research: Network neutrality supports education and research by providing equal access to educational and research resources online. This helps to promote learning, innovation, and the advancement of knowledge.
- Preserving Openness and Innovation: Network neutrality preserves the openness and innovation of the internet by preventing ISPs from controlling what users can access or how they access it. This allows for the continued development of new technologies, services, and applications that benefit users and businesses alike.
Policies of Network Neutrality
Net neutrality policies are rules or guidelines implemented by the government or legislature to enforce the principles of net neutrality. The purpose of this policy is to treat all online traffic equally, without discrimination or favoritism based on content, website, application, service or mode of operation here.
- No Obstruction: This policy prohibits an Internet Service Provider (ISP) from blocking access to legitimate resources, applications, services, or devices. It ensures that users are free to access the entire internet without any restrictions imposed by ISPs.
- Not Restricted: Throttling is the process of deliberately slowing down or disrupting Internet traffic based on characteristics or sources. Net neutrality policies generally prohibit ISPs from blocking or reducing the speed of certain Internet traffic, ensuring that all data is transmitted at the same speed
- Not Charged for Priority : Paid priority is when ISPs offer faster or better access to certain products or services in exchange for payment. Net neutrality policies typically prohibit ISPs from engaging in paid treatment, ensuring that all Internet traffic is treated equally regardless of whether payments are involved.
- Transparency requirements: Net neutrality policies may require ISPs to disclose information to customers about their network management practices, operations, and operating policies users make informed choices about their Internet service providers and encourage accountability among ISPs.
- Policy for Connectivity: Interconnectivity refers to the exchange of Internet traffic between networks, such as ISPs and providers. Net neutrality policies can address communication between them
Significance of Network Neutrality
- Unfettered and unrestricted access to data, concepts, and services is guaranteed by network neutrality.
- ISPs might act in an anti-competitive manner if network neutrality didn’t exist by giving preference to their own content or services over those of their partners.
- Competition and creativity are fostered by an open internet. Without having to negotiate with ISPs, startups, small companies, and entrepreneurs can all introduce new services and reach people.
- Network neutrality gives users unrestricted freedom to select the services, apps, and content they wish to use.
- Network neutrality is an essential instrument for democratic engagement since it protects freedom of expression by enabling unhindered organisation, communication, and mobilisation of supporters.
Net Neutrality in India
Net neutrality in India refers to the principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or favoritism based on content, website, application, service or type In 2015, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI) enacted net neutrality. Engaging in practices such as throttling, prioritizing or otherwise is prohibited and these rules are designed to promote innovation, competition and freedom of expression online by providing oversight to all internet users wants to be on it. But the concept of neutrality in India has faced challenges, including attempts by ISPs to offer special services or unused platforms that could undermine the principles of neutrality do not apply in pit Debate and legal interventions continue to shape the principles of implementation and implementation in the country.
Example of Network Neutrality
We can develop an example of neutrality in network design by considering a scenario in which a user visits online services to watch videos. Under the principle of net neutrality, a user’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) treats all video streams equally, regardless of popularity, affiliation, or content This means that the ISP cannot do not restrict or slow down a user’s connection to any particular streaming service As a result, the user can freely choose to stream video from platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Over video, or any other service, they all get the same access and quality of service Network neutrality ensures that users have unlimited access to a wide variety of content and services available online without interference or prejudice
Advantages of Network Neutrality
- Fair play: According to net neutrality regulations, no one who is wealthier gets preferential treatment. In the absence of net neutrality regulations, US broadband providers may impede the speed of small businesses’ websites or services because they lack the funds to pay for so-called fast lanes.
- Freedom of speech and expression: ISPs shouldn’t be allowed to restrict or censor content on websites just because they don’t agree with it.
- No exceptions: Net neutrality ensures that everyone has access to everything on the internet.
- No extra fees for content: Broadband providers might charge businesses for better services like online gaming and faster video streaming if net neutrality regulations weren’t in place. In the event that this occurs, these businesses will pass on their increased financial burden to the customers..
Disadvantages of Network Neutrality
- Nobody is paying for the information: Users only pay for the service—not the data they use—when net neutrality is in place. In 2018, video streaming services accounted for 57% of global bandwidth usage. It’s possible that users with lower bandwidth usage are reluctant to pay for the infrastructure required to enable high-bandwidth operations.
- Illegal material is easily accessible: Illegal, harmful, and offensive content is easily accessible to anyone and is challenging to delete. ISPs can more easily filter harmful information when net neutrality is removed, but this is not the same as censorship.
- ISPs cannot invest in new infrastructure if they are unable to raise the price at which they offer their services. Large volumes of data are used under net neutrality without costing anything; this money might be utilised to extend the high-speed network to more rural locations.
- Gruelling rule from the government: The Federal Communications Commission is required by net neutrality laws to keep an eye on how well the ISPs are adhering to these regulations. For ISPs of all sizes, this entails filing reports twice a year, which may get expensive.
- Without it, the internet can innovate: A lot of advancements happened when net neutrality laws weren’t in effect. Additionally, some opponents of net neutrality contend that in the absence of net neutrality, the internet expanded significantly and there were comparatively few wrongdoings.
Frequently Asked Question on Network Neutrailty – FAQs
Why is Network Neutrality important?
Network neutrality guarantees that all data on the internet, regardless of content, user, platform, application, or device, is handled equally by ISPs and governments.
How does Net Neutrality impact consumers?
Smaller businesses are more likely to enter the market and launch new services because network neutrality prohibits ISPs from controlling the speed at which customers can access particular websites or services.
What is zero-rating in the context of Net Neutrality?
“Zero-rating” is a popular pricing technique in which bandwidth for particular applications is not deducted from the monthly access plan’s “cap” for internet users.
What is throttling in the context of Net Neutrality?
Throttling can be used to evenly distribute the use of the available bandwidth across all network users as well as actively limit a user’s upload and download speeds on applications like BitTorrent protocols, video streaming, and other file sharing programmes.