The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to not regulate broadband Internet and decided not to control prices for different broadband Internet usage in late February.
We should rejoice in the FCC’s decision.
In simple terms, net neutrality is protecting the free flow of information on the internet. Without this decision, companies would lobby to charge more money to websites that have more broadband or companies they are not partnered with.
To give a hypothetical example that would hit home with most students, we can look to Netflix.
If the ruling let net neutrality fall to the wayside, companies could have charged Netflix more than the average website because of the higher broadband usage the site takes. Because Netflix is being charged more money, they would in turn charge their customers more. Estimates on how much those charges would be are hard to predict because each individual company would set its own price.
Also, if you were using an Internet provider that had business ties with Hulu and not Netflix, the company could increase the speed in which Hulu responded, making it faster and easier to watch than Netflix, encouraging users to choose Hulu over Netflix.
This would affect — arguably — more important websites than Netflix.
It could affect every website from news websites, such as FOX and CNN, to Auburn.edu to YouTube.
It would also affect websites that don’t even exist yet, making it harder for websites that are good ideas to catch on with the public, stifling innovation.
Taking away net neutrality would affect every Internet outlet a student uses and would cost students and professors more money to use.
It’s personally hard to imagine why some people would be against the FCC’s decision, but from a corporation standpoint discontinuing net neutrality is a fair point.
Businesses pay more for websites, such as Netflix and Hulu, as opposed to basic mostly text websites, such as Auburn.edu, because they take up more broadband and are more complex to run.
However, the FCC’s priority should be individual people, not corporations.
The FCC’s decision will likely be challanged by wireless, cable and broadband companies.
AT&T and Verizon both have openly opposed the FCC’s decision.
We think the FCC should stick to its current policy of reviewing companies to ensure regulation is not happening and to not change their decision on broadband prices.
We believe Auburn students need to keep track of this issue and to oppose challenges by corporations.
The Internet was created to help increase the spread of ideas.
That spread should not be stifled because companies want to make a few more dollars each year.
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