Every few months, it seems like there is a huge outcry over net neutrality and then the voices in favor and against the issue die down. Recently, talk over net neutrality has been heating up again, so much so that today, Sept. 10, has been deemed Internet Slowdown Day.
Don't freak out yet. This isn't some large-scale movement to prevent you from enjoying all of your regularly scheduled cat videos. Your Internet speed won't actually be any slower today. What this means is that several sites in support of net neutrality have displayed one of those loading symbols you usually see when a video is buffering, which is also lovingly referred to as the "spinning wheel of death." If you go to major sites like Etsy, Netflix or Vimeo right now, you'll be promptly greeted with one of these symbols, along with a link to contact your state representative to ask him or her to support net neutrality.
Whoa. This sounds like a pretty big deal, doesn't it? But why do all of these big sites want you to support net neutrality, and what does it mean for you? Read on to find out what's at stake here.
What is net neutrality?
To many, net neutrality is like one of those fancy buzz phrases that not everyone even completely understands, like "synergy" or "bitcoin," but simply put, net neutrality means an open Internet that everyone has equal access to. The term was coined by Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu. Net neutrality also means that Internet service providers should not be able to influence what kind of content you view or post on the Internet, which has really been at the heart of the campaign.
Why am I hearing so much about net neutrality these days?
The issue of net neutrality came about in 2010 when the Federal Communications Commission adopted net neutrality rules to regulate the Internet and make sure the access to information we have come to enjoy from it remains intact. The move came as a way to prevent Internet service providers from blocking some sites and allowing other sites to pay for faster speeds. However, Verizon challenged the ruling in 2011, and by January 2014, a federal appeals court struck down the FCC's rules. In May of this year, the FCC decided to move forward with its rules that would prevent Internet service providers from blocking content but that would allow them to charge companies for faster Internet speeds. The FCC proposal is open for public comment until Sept. 15.
Why are people concerned about net neutrality?
If Internet service providers are allowed to charge companies for "express lane" service, it means big companies will be able to afford faster service while smaller websites will be relegated to slower speeds. Some argue that this will separate the Internet into those with money and those without, which could inhibit innovation on the web and prevent users from having an enjoyable experience with every site. Netflix, which is supporting Internet Slowdown Day, paid AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon for faster loading speeds months ago, although the site famously had a difficult time getting the speed it desired from Verizon.
Who supports net neutrality in Washington?
Support for net neutrality rules has mostly come from Democrats in Congress. Some of its more noteworthy supporters are Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Republicans, on the other hand, feel that regulations regarding Internet service providers should be left up to antitrust laws and the FCC's rules would be an overreach of its powers.
What can you do about it?
As governmental regulations go, this is one of those things we don't have direct control over, even though it will affect all Americans who use the Internet. However, if you're in favor of net neutrality and feel strongly about it, you can hurry up and make your voice heard by commenting on the FCC's proposal before Sept. 15. You can also go to any one of the websites participating in Internet Slowdown Day, which can connect you to more information about net neutrality and help you contact your state representative so he or she can support the issue on your behalf.
