Net Neutrality by John Oliver

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In summary: Right now, we are at a tipping point where ISPs are starting to consolidate and there is a fear that they will misuse their power to discriminate against certain types of services. We need more competition in the ISP market, and we don't think a lot of this will happen without Net Neutrality regulations."
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If you haven't seen this yet, check it out. John Oliver gives us the low down on Net Neutrality "Colbert" style. It's great! and depressing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU
 
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  • #2
I don't think a lot of people understand the issue here. I was talking to a few people in PM's, and they seem to be under the impression that the net neutrality issue is scare tactics. Another argument was a misunderstanding of how the internet is constructed. IE: who is responsible for what, who pays for what, etc.

Here is a good analogy for what is being proposed:
Broadband is a de facto utility and broadband providers appear to have monopoly power in many markets. Thus, there is a need for regulating what monopolists can and cannot do. Allowing for 'Internet fast lanes' is analogous to allowing an electricity provider to make deals with appliance or electronics manufacturers and to charge for electricity depending on the type or even equipment brand the end customer uses."

"Should customers be charged differently if they use a refrigerator from brand X vs. a light fixture from brand Y? Should one pay differently at a gas station if the purpose of their trip is business or leisure or if they drive an SUV vs. a minivan? Should the broadband provider be entitled to provide a different quality of service to a user accessing content on www.duke.edu versus accessing content on a commercial news site of the broadband provider's liking?

https://today.duke.edu/2014/05/tip-netneutrality
 
  • #3
Net Neutrality is a very misunderstood agenda by politicians. CNN has millions of viewers, they need a lot of bandwidth and they want to provide a good experience,,so they pay for QOS (Quality of Service), they also pay for CDN (edge server), which is a service that caches static content at the edge of the cloud closest to the end user, PF pays for this service to make the website load faster.

Fred's bait shop can also get these services, but they are not free. If Fred can't pay for them, too bad. that is the way it is for ANY business service.
 
  • #4
Evo said:
Net Neutrality is a very misunderstood agenda by politicians. CNN has millions of viewers, they need a lot of bandwidth and they want to provide a good experience,,so they pay for QOS (Quality of Service), they also pay for CDN (edge server), which is a service that caches static content at the edge of the cloud closest to the end user, PF pays for this service to make the website load faster.

Fred's bait shop can also get these services, but they are not free. If Fred can't pay for them, too bad. that is the way it is for ANY business service.

The issue surrounding QoS is a little more complicated than you seem to believe. ISPs, computer scientists, and consumer advocates each want something different. ISP's want absolutely no regulation on QoS. Computer Scientists want moderate regulation on QoS, and consumer advocates want an outright ban on QoS. Finally, caches are a different animal because there are different market fundamentals behind them (IE: competition). The market works differently in monopolies or one step removed from a monopoly.

From an developer point of view, we have many different concerns. Some of those concerns are with the startup environment which is already http://www.technologyreview.com/news/527006/talk-of-an-internet-fast-lane-is-already-hurting-some-startups/ by talk of these current proposals. There are multiple reasons for this behavior. First, there is uncertainty on price structure. If a two-way price scheme is used over the current one-way price scheme, it could cause quite a bit of harm to the start up environment. Next, ISPs can avoid sharing QoS with any service that competes against their own products. In addition, they could offer QoS to competitors, but they could price it so high as to drive them out of business. They could make exclusive deals with a particular non-competing service that would lead to a similar effect. They could charge competitors different prices. All of these things can result in a very different internet from the one we have today.

And there exist economic theory behind why we worry about it. In fact, it's the application of the same theories ISPs use in their argument. See the following citation:

FARRELL,J.ANDWEISER, P. 2003. Modularity, vertical integration, and open access policies: Towards a convergence of antitrust and regulation in the Internet age.Harvard J. Law Technol. 17,
85–134. http://ssrn.com/abstract=452220.

In a basic nutshell, we want a continuation of one-way price scheme, and we want anti-discrimination regulations that are explicit.
 
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  • #5


I believe that net neutrality is a crucial aspect of maintaining a fair and open internet. It ensures that all online content is treated equally and prevents internet service providers from controlling or manipulating what users can access.

John Oliver's segment on net neutrality highlights the importance of this issue and the potential consequences if it is not upheld. The internet has become an essential tool for communication, information, and innovation, and it is crucial that it remains a level playing field for all users.

The fact that this topic is being discussed in a comedic manner by a late-night talk show host is both amusing and concerning. It shows that not enough attention is being given to this issue and that it is not being taken seriously enough by those in power.

I urge policymakers to listen to the voices of experts and the public and take action to protect net neutrality. The future of the internet and its potential for progress and advancement relies on it. I also encourage the public to educate themselves on this issue and advocate for a free and open internet.
 

1. What is "Net Neutrality"?

"Net Neutrality" is the principle that states that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or preference given to certain types of content or websites.

2. Who is John Oliver and why is he talking about Net Neutrality?

John Oliver is a comedian and political commentator who hosts the show "Last Week Tonight". He has discussed Net Neutrality on his show multiple times, bringing attention to the issue and advocating for its protection.

3. Why is Net Neutrality important?

Net Neutrality is important because it ensures that all internet users have equal access to information and services online. Without it, internet service providers could potentially control and manipulate what content users can access, leading to censorship and lack of competition.

4. What is the current status of Net Neutrality?

In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed regulations to protect Net Neutrality. However, in 2017, these regulations were repealed by the FCC under the leadership of Ajit Pai. Currently, there is ongoing debate and legal battles over the future of Net Neutrality.

5. How can individuals support Net Neutrality?

Individuals can support Net Neutrality by staying informed about the issue and contacting their representatives to express their support for its protection. They can also join advocacy groups and participate in protests and campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of Net Neutrality.

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