Nick Perez | Contributing Writer
In late February, the Federal Communications Commission passed Title II to regulate the Internet, giving long-awaited answers to questions about Internet regulation. However, these newly formed rules will only last until 2018.
Title II is only the beginning of the fight between the two sides on network neutrality. Websites like Kickstarter and Netflix are saying the Internet should be free, providing equal access for all Internet users. Opposing companies like Comcast and Cisco say the FCC is altering the original use of the Internet and prevents newer technology from developing sooner.
There have been many heated discussions about net neutrality. Comedians like John Oliver have referenced it on their shows, but what is it?
Columbia law professor Tim Wu first coined the term in 2007. Net neutrality is the idea of having Internet Service Providers treat equally all data on the Internet. It means providers should not discriminate by charging according to content or user for varied Internet speeds. No information should be prioritized over any other, it says, because if ISPs could charge websites for faster Internet speed, it would cause some problems.
“The minute you start doing that, you end innovation and free speech and create roadblocks to what has always been free and open exchange of ideas for the good, bad and the ugly,” said APU’s Internet security architect, Shawn Kohrman.
When ISPs decide to prioritize different services, innovation (like research and even Facebook) will be inhibited, he says.
Under the new Title II authority, the FCC can keep ISPs from discriminating against services like Netflix. For example, Title II would keep Version (an ISP) from slowing Netflix’s downloading speed until the video company agrees to pay a higher rate to get the same time as before.
While Title II sparks major discussions, it is a big win for net neutrality advocates.
Vint Cerf, one of the key officials involved in running the Internet, is in agreement with many of the advocates. In a 2005 letter to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he expressed concern about companies discriminating in favor of certain services. He also wrote that the Internet’s intended use was for innovation without having one central power.
Many Democrats agree with this assessment and are on board the changes the FCC is making. These moves are getting support from President Barack Obama as well. The president has promised billions of dollars for Internet structure research and development. However, telecommunications companies are wary of this and are questioning where the money will actually go.
On the opposing side, many Republicans are concerned with the broad scope of rules, crying government overreach. They also argue the FCC’s influence will extend into the thick of the Internet by reviewing interconnection deals between companies. They are worried Title II will lead to new Web taxes as well.
The FCC has no precedent to go on with Title II, so it’s using rules from landline and cellular phones.
“The FCC is trying to apply rules that don’t really pertain what is used for and how it grows,” says Jeff Birch, APU’s associate vice president of information and media technology.
Birch hints that people will not see the effects of Title II until a few years from now and that its rules will not go into effect until May or June this year.