Internet Project

What is Net Neutrality?

Net neutrality is a priciple that all data that is on the internet must be treated equally by internet service providers and governments, regardless of user, content, site, platform, equipment or method of communication. This means that service providers and the government cannot slow down or block content from users of the internet. Net neutrality laws protect internet freedom by requiring internet service providers to provide the same level of data access and internet speeds.

Impact of Net Neutrality

Net neutrality restricts internet service providers, requiring them to provide an equal access to data for all internet users. Net neutrality also is supposed to make smaller companies more likely to create new services as a result of not allowing internet service providers to determine speeds that users can access websites and services. Net neutrality makes an equal playing field for internet service providers and American users on the internet, Net neutrality also blocks any arbitrary rises in internet prices, keeping internet affordable, and allowing greater access to information.

2017 Removal of Net Neutrality

In 2017, the FCC voted to repeal Net Neutrality under a plan unveiled by FCC director Ajit Pai. The argument for the removal of net neutrality was that by forcing the internet service provider corporations to the net neutrality regulations, it would discourage investment in internet infrastructure. This could have increased the digital divide between rural and urban American citizens. Although net neutrality was repealed federally, the plan still allowed individual states to pass state legislature to maintain net neutrality laws. In 2021, there was momentum within the FCC to possibly bring back the net neutrality laws federally.

Net Neutrality

What is Net Neutrality?

Impact of Net Neutrality

2017 Removal of Net Neutrality

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