Network Neutrality

Network Neutrality is an extremely controversial topic basically between big businesses and small businesses. To better understand network neutrality I had to look on Wikipedia for a good definition. "Network Neutrality...refers to a principle applied to residential broadband networks, and potentially to all broadband networks. Precise definitions vary, but a broadband network free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment attached and the modes of communication allowed would be considered neutral by most advocates, provided it met additional tests relating to the degradation of various communication streams by others" (Wikipedia.org). Net neutrality is something that some businesses are striving for, and others want to reject. There are two extremely strong arguments to both sides of net neutrality. The big businesses such as telephone companies (Verizon) and cable companies (RoadRunner) that oppose net neutrality believe that the small businesses such as YouTube, and Google are offering too many media files which could lead to viruses and other problems that are slowing up Internet access, which is affecting the big businesses that provided the Internet for them (with a monthly fee) in the first place (Information Week).
The supporting side of net neutrality (the small businesses) are basically arguing that the Internet providers, and big businesses are opposing the neutrality because of financial incentives. Information Week explains the supporting side in one of their articles..."Proponents of net neutrality argue that cable and telecommunications form a duopoly that threatens the current system. They say that, without some type of anti-discrimination law or standards, cable and telecommunications companies could control users' access by blocking content from competitors, favoring certain applications, charging higher rates to deliver information into people's homes and offices and failing to inform people of their capacity" (Information Week).
I support the supporting side of net neutrality because I find that an argument i found Information Week is extremely true..."The Internet is based on a layered, end-to-end model that allows people at each level of the network to innovate free of any central control. By placing intelligence at the edges rather than control in the middle of the network, the Internet has created a platform for innovation" (Information Week). With the big businesses wanting to put restrictions on the Internet, that will just degrade the large amount of free innovative ideas and work that people are coming up with. The Internet should be the one thing that big businesses can't control, because we, the people are so involved with it that we won't let them make it controlling and manipulative. Rock The Net also brings up a good point, that these big businesses would be putting a sort of "Internet toll" on society. "Some cable Internet service providers such as Verizon and AT&T have proposed charging Internet content providers for having their web sites load faster. It's essentially a toll for using the Internet "highway" these ISPs have built. The proposal would create a "tiered" web. Companies that are able to afford the fees would have better service. Those that can't pay would be relegated to slower service. In the worst-case scenario, ISPs might even block certain web sites" (Rock The Net Why Net Neutrality is Important for Musicians).
So to sum up net neutrality, the people that are for it are the big businesses, the Internet providers. The people that are opposing it are the small businesses, and people like me, who don't want to pay more to access the Internet. For the big businesses, they are complaining that the heavy flow of media usage from small businesses are creating a traffic jam on the Internet, which is affecting their revenue. The small businesses and I don't want to have restrictions put on Internet connection and content, because that will change our everyday lives. We have grown so use to the Internet, and the way it works, that if Big businesses change this, there will be a very big uproar from the common user and small businesses.

Jones, K.c. "Net Neutrality Debate Remains Contentious." Information Week. 16 Mar. 2007. 13 Apr. 2007 .

"Why Net Neutrality is Important for Musicians." Rock the Net. Rock the Net. 13 Apr. 2007 .