What is network neutrality? Why has the Internet operated under net neutrality up to this point in time?
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Net neutrality also called network neutrality,
Internet neutrality, or net equality is the principle that Internet service
providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, not
discriminating or charging deferentially by user, content, site, platform,
application, type of attached equipment, or mode communication. In other
definition, network neutrality is the idea that internet service providers must
allow customers equal access to content and applications regardless of the
source and nature of the content.
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Presently, the Internet is indeed neutral: all
Internet traffic is treated equally on a first-come, first-served basis by
Internet back-bone owners.
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The Internet is neutral because it was built on
phone lines, which are subject to 'common carriage' laws. These laws require
phone companies to treat all calls and customer equally.
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They
cannot offer extra benefits to customers willing to pay higher premiums for
faster or clearer calls, a model knows as tiered service.
2.
Who’s in favor of net neutrality? Who’s opposed?
Why?
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Those in favor of network neutrality include
organization like MoveOn.org, the Christian Coalition, the American Library
Association, every major consumer group, many bloggers and small businesses,
and some large Internet Companies like Google and Amazon. Some members of the
U.S. Congress also support network neutrality. Vint Cerf, a co-inventor of the
Internet Protocol also favors network neutrality saying that variable access to
content would detract from the Internet’s continued ability to thrive.
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This group argues that the risk of censorship
increases when network operators can selectively block or slow access to
certain content. Others are concerned about the effect of slower transmission
rates on their business models if users can't download or access content in a
speedy fashion. Those who oppose network neutrality include telecommunications
and cable companies who want to be able to charge differentiated prices based
on the amount of bandwidth consumed by content being delivered over the
Internet.
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Some companies report that 5 percent of their
customers use about half the capacity on local lines without paying any more
than low-usage customers. They state that metered pricing is "the fairest
way" to finance necessary investments in its network infrastructure.
Internet service providers point to the upsurge in piracy of copyrighted
materials over the Internet as a reason to oppose network neutrality.
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Comcast reported that illegal file sharing of
copyrighted material was consuming 50 percent of its network capacity. The
company posits that if network transmission rates were slower for this type of
content, users would be less likely to download or access it. Bob Kahn, another
co-inventor of the Internet Protocol opposed network neutrality saying that it
removes the incentive for network providers to innovate, provide new
capabilities, and upgrade to new technology.
3. What would be the impact on individual users,
businesses, and government if Internet providers switched to a tiered service
model?
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Proponents of net neutrality argue that a
neutral Internet encourages everyone to innovate without permission from the
phone and cable companies or other authorities. A more level playing field spawn’s
countless new businesses. Allowing unrestricted information flow becomes
essential to free markets and democracy as commerce and society increasingly
move online. Heavy users of network bandwidth would pay higher prices without
necessarily experiencing better service. Even those who use less bandwidth
could run into the same situation.
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Networks owners believe regulation like the
bills proposed by net neutrality advocates will impede U.S. competitiveness by
stifling innovation and hurt customers who will benefit from 'discriminatory'
network practices. U.S. Internet service already lags behind other nations in
overall speed, cost and quality of service, adding credibility to the
providers' arguments. Obviously, by increasing the cost of heavy users of
network bandwidth, telecommunication and cable companies and Internet service
providers stand to increased their profit margins.
4.
Are you in favor of legislation enforcing
network neutrality? Why or why not?
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We are not favor legislation enforcing network
neutrality because, that will prevent globalization process, especially in
business environment. Moreover, since this is a system which there are no
government or ISP mandated restrictions with regard to the content, sites,
platforms, equipment or modes of communication that user access. Internet users
should be able to control the content that they access and have a choice in
which applications they use to view that content.
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As we know, the globalization is very strong
supported by Internet and if the Internet is not neutral, it will disturb the
process of globalization. The legislation will prevent the small business to
promote their product abroad by cloud computing and also prevent the blogger to
share ideas and knowledge. It's also as a disadvantage for service provider to
provide a free service and platform to user.
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