Dear MEL Topic Readers,
What is net neutrality and how could it affect you?
Net Neutrality is the guiding principle of the Internet that guarantees the right for anyone to communicate freely online. It also prohibits Internet Service Providers, or ISP, to discriminate or block any applications or content that ride over those networks. It was adopted by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, in 2015 under Obama administration.
For example, when you go online, you expect to be connected to any website you want at a minimum speed guaranteed by the internet service provider of the spot or area, but not by the content, application, or website. It’s just like a public motorway that is used by any vehicles without any preferential treatment or higher fees no matter how big or small the vehicle is. But what if those service providers prefer or discriminate some content or applications by the business agreement with the content providers?
Now, the FCC under Trump administration has decided to scrap the Net Neutrality protections. This change will allow ISPs to set up fee structures based on the type and size of the content and application. You may get slower connections for video content if the content provider doesn’t pay the demanded fee to the ISP, or toll to drive a higher-speed lane and avoid congestion. This could favor already-established content providers with deep pockets, such as Google or Facebook, but may discriminate new start-ups, non-profit organizations and activists, and educational content that cannot afford such toll.
Is this just a matter of Internet businesses in the US?
Enjoy watching the video and think what this change in regulation could affect you.
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