Net Neutrality: Someone please explain this to me. Link included.

[Basement Cat]

Microsoft and Google among tech firms demanding net neutrality in FCC letter

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2343693/microsoft-google-and-other-tech-giants-sign-letter-to-fcc-demanding-net-neutrality

I just got back from work (night shift) and I ran across this news story. I'm in the running for being The Escapist's least techno-savvy member and I'm tired, as well.

So...what is this "Net Neutrality" business? Is it another SOPA thing or does it involve Big Business trying to keep all the pie and not sharing with others?

 

[Esotera]

The internet is basically a big system of computers which exchange information, and net neutrality states that all information should be treated equally. Customers pay Internet Service Providers (ISPs) so that they can download information to their home computer through networks maintained by the ISP.

Basically the problem is that streaming services like youtube have become insanely popular in the last couple of years, and now make up a considerable proportion of download traffic. Downloading something like an escapist news article doesn't require much data to be transferred as it's mainly just a bunch of text, whereas downloading a 30 minute video on youtube will take a lot more transfer. Some ISPs want companies like Youtube/Netflix to pay them, partly because they use a lot of bandwidth and partly for an improved service, so that video plays more smoothly due to higher priority data transfer.

This might seem fair at first, but the customer has already paid for access to the internet, and making companies pay for higher priority speeds means it's harder for new companies to gain popularity. Also you could argue that it's the fault of ISPs for not improving their networks to allow more data to be transferred, as it's not exactly rocket science figuring out that people are downloading more these days...

Basically, not having net neutrality would screw small businesses and lead to uncompetitiveness. And probably loads of other things, I'm not an expert on the principle, and the wikipedia page has way more reasons than I can write here...

 

[Wasted]

This video explains it well in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtt2aSV8wdw

It sucks an will ultimately just give ISPs power over customers with no benefit for the customers.

 

[AgedGrunt]

ISPs are running out of time before their business models are done. They think they *are* the Internet when they're merely the access portal, and they don't want a neutral net because it's not in their interests when they can sell tickets rather than improve service.

One of the most high-profile cases involves Netflix and Comcast. To be brief, Comcast isn't investing in upgrades or service and instead allowed routed traffic to Netflix to become saturated, slowing the service. They made a huge stink over bandwidth consumption yet, when Netflix agreed to deal, a week later the service improved. No upgrades, they literally allowed a traffic jam and squeezed money out of a popular service. Because screw them.

Why screw them? Simple. Netflix is a cable company's public enemy #1. That ISPs are themselves content providers is a massive conflict of interest, but this is just one example of heinous practice.

Net neutrality is still just an argument that all packets be treated equally. I'm of the opinion that we won't really see a neutral net until the Internet is successfully ruled as a utility like electricity and water. I'm not necessarily saying municipal Internet, but there-in would implode these mega-billion dollar companies and put them in the business of public service and out of the business of taking over the Internet through access control and content provision.

 

[Sahasrala88]

In terms of how it will affect internet content and gaming, this video from Extra Credits does a great job of highlighting the issues and explaining what Net Neutrality is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQtiIazfoQM

I really hope net neutrality can be saved. It's something that is crucial to anyone who relies on good internet access to get things done in their daily lives.

 

[Basement Cat]

So, it's a money grab from old-method corps for the next generation tech which fails to serve as a cash-cow.

I suspect that even if they're successful in pulling off Non-neutrality it will come back to bite the Corps on their asses.

My only concern is how much damage could be inflicted in the meantime.

Thoughts?

 

[Weaver]

IMO Vi Hart explained it really well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAxMyTwmu_M&list=UUOGeU-1Fig3rrDjhm9Zs_wg

Essentially: net neutrality stipulates all data on the internet be treated equally. If someone wants to download two files, one from server A and one form server B then neither server is given preferential treatment.

In the proposed plans if the company that runs server A gives the big ISPs millions of dollars, their files will download faster than companies that don't. More accurately: they will download exactly as fast as they do now, and everyone else will be artificially limited in speed.

My only concern is how much damage could be inflicted in the meantime.

Believe it or not, with the bill not even going through yet, damage is already being done to startups:
https://bgr.com/2014/05/07/fcc-net-neutrality-proposal-ruining-internet/

The report notes that the mere possibility that the FCC?s new net neutrality proposal will pass is causing venture capital firms to stop funding startups with services that rely on fast Internet connections for videos, music or other services. The fear is that such companies may need to pay a ransom to large ISPs in the future, and those fees could dramatically impact their profitability.

Essentially, investors are getting wet feet about investing in technology startups that rely heavily on internet data (hint: that's pretty much all of them now-a-days).

 

[Vault101]

the fronter...the wild west of the web could become civilised and comercilaised..more so than it already is

 

[Basement Cat]

the fronter...the wild west of the web could become civilised and comercilaised..more so than it already is

Vileness! How dare you espouse civilized behavior and commercialization while you still lack the demonstrated ability to use SpellCheck! ^_^

I've missed you, Vault101!

Having said that: ?????[footnote]Please elucidate.[/footnote]

 

[Vault101]

[snip]

eeerrrrrmmm

I think everyone else already explained it better than I could but basically "technically" everyone on the internet is on an even playing feild

but if you bring money bought favoritism then new and smaller sites will have a severe disadvantage