The Pros and Cons of Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is the guiding concept behind everything that we get to do on the Web. Right now, there are no restrictions of any kind on access to content on the Web, no restrictions on downloads or uploads, and no restrictions on communication methods (email, chat, IM, etc.) Net neutrality is the assurance that access to the Web and its content will not be blocked, slowed down, or sped up depending on where that access is based or who owns the access point(s).

Latest Developments

As of April 2010, net neutrality is facing some opposition:

• Net neutrality suffers a crushing blow: The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC does not have the authority to require Comcast, a major Internet provider, to treat all Internet traffic and access the same on its network.
• European Union, France to consult on net neutrality: The European Commission will launch a public consultation on the issue of network neutrality this quarter.
• Is Net Neutrality Dead?: A historical view of net neutrality.

Background

Net neutrality in the context of the Web is somewhat new, but the concept of neutral, publicly accessible information and transfer of that information has been around since the days of Alexander Graham Bell. Basic public infrastructure, such as subways, buses, telephone companies, etc., are not allowed to discriminate, restrict, or differentiate common access, and this is the core concept behind net neutrality as well.

A Historical Look at Net Neutrality

Net Neutrality: From the Cybertelecom Federal Internet Law & Policy Center, an in-depth look net neutrality in a historical context.

Early History of the Net Neutrality Debate in the US: A short history of the issues behind the current net neutrality debate, as well as a brief look at the history of free communication.

Net Neutrality: Lessons from the Past: From MIT's Technology Review, the current net neutrality compared against various historical analogies.

Moyers on America: Net Neutrality: PBS's take on net neutrality, the issues currently challenging it, and the history behind it.