You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase blaring from the TV, seen the words fly by as you scroll through your Twitter or LinkedIn feed. “Net neutrality.” But have you ever taken the time to question what it is and how it may affect you?
While you may not quite know what net neutrality entails, you may nonetheless already feel your news has been oversaturated with the “buzz phrase.” That’s why we’re here on this #TechTuesday to concisely break down only its key elements and how it may affect you, the small business owner.
Basic Principles
We all do a menagerie of tasks on the Internet, work-related and not. Net neutrality’s defining principle is that no matter what you are seeking to accomplish — research for a client, Google Docs collaboration, or streaming Pandora to help the time pass — the information will all be delivered to you in exactly the same manner. Your Internet Service Provider and/or your mobile carrier has to treat all your tasks equally and ensure that none of the content you are attempting to receive and send is arbitrarily slowed down.
Net neutrality promises that all Internet traffic continues to be handled fairly and equally. The Internet remains truly open.
The Latest Regulations Proposal
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler has in the past week pushed for Title II authority in this manner so that the FCC may have the ability to enforce and implement open Internet protections. Under Title II, the Internet would be reclassified as a “common carrier,” a la the old telephone network, and would be open to all as a utility. While Wheeler’s official proposal has not yet been made public, here are the specific highlights he shared on February 4th that will be of interest to small business owners:
1. No blocking or throttling of Internet data. Your broadband service provider, whether cable, satellite or wireless, will not be able to block any access to legal content, services and applications. Further, your provider(s) cannot slow down the delivery of legal content. All content must be treated equally. Thus, even if you are performing an intensive task that puts a particular strain on the network, like, say, streaming a tech instructional video, your provider will not be able to penalize you and throttle your data speed.
2. No paid prioritization. In other words, bigger companies can’t throw around cash to get special perks and content delivery prioritization from broadband providers that smaller businesses can’t afford, and providers can’t benefit from charging companies for faster content delivery. For example, AT&T can’t charge Hulu an extra fee to allow for faster video streaming speeds to consumers. Additionally, broadband providers can’t prioritize their own services over those offered by others. There will be no “winners and losers” on the Internet, no “gatekeeper” authority that gets to make special exemptions for those willing to pony up the extra $$$.
3. Broadband providers must be transparent with their policies. No sneakiness on behalf of your provider! Specifics on network management must be provided to consumers.
4. A future-proof conduct standard. The FCC will establish a standard for future broadband provider conduct so that as our world changes, our providers won’t be able to craftily invent new ways to harm consumers and content providers. We’ll be protected.
It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over
But wait! This isn’t in the bag yet. Some in Congress and within the broadband industry take exception with the particular attempt to rebadge the Internet as a common carrier via Title II reclassification. They insist they’re concerned over the additional “burdensome” regulations that come with such reclassification, so there will be a fight over this.
While Wheeler’s proposal will likely be approved on February 26th, the broadband providers may choose to file suits, and Congress may pass a law that supersedes the current proposal and becomes law instead. There are a number of potentialities that may play out.
You can expect we’ll keep you abreast of this proposal as new details shake out and as it makes its journey toward becoming law. In the interim, be sure to come back here every week for the rundown on the technology news that matters to small business owners during #TechTuesdays!
Sources: Wired.com, The Washington Post, CNET
