Issues with Net Neutrality

There are a group of people who are both in favor and against net neutrality. Net neutrality is all about treating all internet traffic data equally and fairly but still, arguments are found against net neutrality.

Opponents of Net Neutrality:

Net neutrality opponents comprise internet service providers, broadband and telecommunication companies, manufacturers of computer hardware, various renowned economists and technologist. Moreover, several prominent hardware and telecommunications companies particularly disagree with the redefining of broadband as ‘’common carrier’’ under Title II. Furthermore, there is a long list of different corporates who opposes net neutrality. This includes Comcast, Intel, IBM, AT&T, Nokia, Panasonic, Broadcom, and many more. Net neutrality is also opposed by the US Telecom and Broadband Association, an association which characterizes a wide collection of many small and large broadband providers.

Issues with Net Neutrality:

There are many reasons for which net neutrality is being opposed, some of these reasons are mentioned below:

Net Neutrality reduces investments:

One of the most fundamental reason/ issue with net neutrality is that it reduces investments. The foes of net neutrality claims and contends that prioritizing bandwidth is important for future innovation on the internet. Different telecom service providers like cable companies and technology companies which provide networking things argue that telecom providers should have the power and ability to provide better treatment in the form of tiered services. For instance, providing online corporations who are keen to pay the ability to transfer their data packets at a faster rate to other networking traffic. In this way, the income earned can be utilized to pay for the building of enlarged broadband access to more users.

The opponents of net neutrality are of the opinion that net neutrality would make it difficult for the service providers along with other network operatives to earn investments in broadband networks. Thus, in this way net neutrality reduces investments.

Net Neutrality creates a dangerous precedent:

Opponents of net neutrality are of the view that when government gets something in its hand so, they make things and situation more problematic and complicated. It is known that the federal government do watches and keeps an eye on the citizens. The opponents believed that if not at present the government have dishonest or corrupt ideas over the control of internet but in near future, they could have. Hence, it is assumed that net neutrality forms a dangerous and unsafe precedent for the users.

Net Neutrality is unfair:

Net neutrality works on the principle of treating all internet data equally. It forbid the service providers from slowing down, blocking and charging extra fees for any service or content. However, it is likely to expect that the wireless carriers will charge the users on the basis of their usage. Now, unfairness is when the one who uses less pays the same amount of money as those who use the internet more frequently. Therefore, the egalitarianism is unequal and unjust too.

Net Neutrality offers governmental internet:

The world of internet is innovative and it continues to grow and develop each passing day. Within net neutrality, the government supervision and control would jeopardy the internet being bogged down with limitless bureaucracy, red tape and lack of innovation. As the president wants the internet to fall into 1934 Telecommunication Act- the government is not an advanced and innovative creature so, just imagine how ancient the World Wide Web would look like. Therefore, the opponents of net neutrality argue that it should be stopped because it offers internet under complete governmental control.

Net Neutrality disables allocation of internet traffic efficiently:

The internet pioneers do suggest that net neutrality regulations stop internet traffic from being allocated to most needed users. Moreover, net neutrality rules prevent a discrimination of traffic, therefore, networks would have to consider the vital and critical traffic equally along with non-critical traffic data.

Conclusion:

Although there have been various regulations enforced on part of net neutrality. Recently, a bill has also been passed but still, opponents continue to oppose this principle mainly because it’s a principle and an idea and moreover, there are various serious concern over net neutrality which many people neglects but if viewed so they seem really serious and alarming.