1. What is Net Neutrality?
It is one of the most debated topics on the Internet. Net Neutrality is about ensuring a level playing field on the Internet for everyone. It says that your Internet service provider – be it fibre optic or wireless – should treat all Internet traffic equally. For a detailed description, read Vox’s article.
2. How it will change your life
Companies like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T want to create a 2-lane system under which consumers would be charged extra for fast access. What it will effectively do is slow down Internet speeds for families that can’t afford to pay for the fast lane. Read what ails the US broadband service right now.
3. Still feel it’s too complicated? Let ‘expert’ John Oliver explain it to you in this hilarious and insightful video
4. The Good News
For now the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that broadband is a public utility like telephones and the Internet would be preserved as an open platform for ‘innovation and free expression’. Read the FCC proposal here.
5. What is the impact on India?
Right now, minimal. Airtel sparked off protests when it said that that it will charge subscribers a higher rate for using Internet telephony (VoIP) services. Airtel has invested Rs 1,40,000 crore towards setting up telecom infrastructure across the country and without charging higher fees this would have to stop. Industry blogs Medianama and Netneutrality feel otherwise.