Net Neutrality - An IT Right-winger's Take

I'm sure you've heard a lot about Net Neutrality lately. Well, I'll give you both sides of the argument and why I believe what I believe.

At a high-level Net Neutrality is a set of rules the FCC is attempting to enact which would force ISPs (Internet Service Providers) like Comcast, AT&T and Insight to allow all communications to flow freely to the Internet. This means that no applications or services would be given preferential treatment and that no sites or content can be blocked by the ISPs. An example of this is the recent move by several carriers to limit P2P (Peer to Peer) traffic since this traffic is most often used for illegal file sharing (think illegal music downloads).

Pro Net Neutrality
Those who are for NN believe that the Internet is and should be free from any restrictions such as the P2P throttling listed above. They believe that the Internet has become what it has because it has always been 'free' and open. In their opinion, the ISPs are attempting to implement a 'tiered service model' whereby they can charge users based on what services they use. This also gives ISPs too much control over what information crosses their network. To them, this stifles collaboration, innovation and of course freedom. Finally, they are also of the opinion that without NN several new or smaller online companies would be at a disadvantage and would be severely hampered in their ability to compete.

Against Net Neutrality
Those against NN claim that ISPs have no reason to severely restrict services and except for a few services have not done so to this point. Another major factor is the ISPs assertion that they have spent billions of dollars on their infrastructure to handle the ever growing Internet. They feel that it is unfair for them to spend such a substantial amount of money and then be told how and what they can or cannot allow on their networks. They also think that NN is trying to address a non-existent problem. It's their assertion that the Internet has become what it has because of the lack of heavy-handed government regulation.

My Take
When discussing NN, you will likely hear 'freedom' (or some iteration of) to describe it. On the surface it appears to be a good thing. Freedom is always a good thing right? In this case, no. In this case freedom for some equates to restricted freedoms for others.
To me, NN is essentially the redistribution of wealth by the government to be enacted on the Internet. How do I come to that conclusion? Well, equal access for everyone means there can be no tiered pricing by the ISPs. Why is that good? Think of it this way, if you have cable TV then you likely have many options for your service. If you like sports you may get the sports package for an additional fee. If you enjoy movies of a certain genre then you can add that package to your lienup for an additional fee. So in other words, you choose what you want and pay your provider accordingly. Almost all businesses operate under this model. Why should ISPs be any different?

The ISPs have spent a considerable amount of money to upgrade their networks. Why should they not be allowed to guarantee a return on their investment? Why should bureaucrats be in charge of telling them what they can or cannot do on their networks? This will simply lead to more government regulation, which in my opinion is always a bad thing. And call me paranoid but it doesn't seem too far of a jump between this and total Internet control. You may laugh but it's been my experience that when you let them get their foot in the door, the regulation only becomes more restrictive and either hampers the development of or more often fundamentally changes whatever is being regulated .

I'm sure detractors will say that this gives the big, bad carriers an unfair advantage and that they will be able to allow only the most wealthy among us to preferential access to the Internet. And that they will be able to throttle services and Internet content at their discretion. But what you won't hear is that just like any other business you are a customer of, you have choices. If your ISP slows down services or blocks content that you use often, then you can simply change ISPs. That is what is so great about our free market system. If you feel that you are not getting what you expect from companies you deal with, then you find a different company. To me, that is freedom!