Net neutrality is not some obscure idea for only techies and public policy wonks. No, net neutrality is an idea, a practice, which impacts all who use today or will someday use the internet for play or work.
Let's start with understanding what net neutrality is. Simply, net neutrality means that internet users have unfettered access to legal content and websites. For a more robust explanation, watch How will rolling back net neutrality affect consumers? You'll have to read the fine print. (also below)
And for a historical view of throttling speed (think watching Netflix or Hulu with the video buffering regularly), watch the Wall Street Journal video Net Neutrality Explained, also below.
For an even more detailed and nuanced explanation of net neutrality and the FCC's threat, read AMA: NY AG Schneiderman on net neutrality and protecting our voice in government.
What the FCC plans to do December 14 is upend the internet as we've known it and allow internet service providers (ISPs)―commonly spoken of a Comcast and AT&T―to slow down your internet connection and to block users from visiting certain websites and prevent users from using certain services. True, Chairman Pai and others take a different view and refer to the massive change in net neutrality as Restoring Internet Freedom (PDF). Chairman Pai and allies are relying heavily on the idea that the market will appropriately and adequately handle any throttling or blocking decisions made by ISPs. While history demonstrates that this is not likely, let's say that in 2018 the market will work for consumers. What happens in places such as the Northern Neck where broadband is not widely available and few ISPs operate? It hardly seems likely that the market here will work for consumers.
- Send a message to Chairman Pai and explain why net neutrality is important to you
- Call Congress and tell your elected officials you support net neutrality
- Sign the Save Net Neutrality petition