Com125 Assignment 12: Network Neutrality

What is network neutrality? According to wikipedia.org, Network neutrality is principles that is applied to residential broadband networks, and potentially to all networks. Network neutrality preserves a free and open internet. Overtime there has been a lot of debate over network neutrality and what it actually means. In the article, "Net Neutrality Debate Remains Continuous", by K.C. Jones, states, "Net neutrality is so contentious that many people debating it cannot even agree on a definition. Traditional allies and foes have rearranged themselves to form strange new alliances and divisions. Even the founders of the Internet and the World Wide Web -- including some who worked alongside each other -- are at odds over how to move forward". People still can't come agree on what net neutrality actually is. Now people are debating on whether internet service providers be able to charge more money for traffic, or whether the law should mandate equal access. Why are internet providers trying to gain more money because of traffic. It wouldn't be fair for networks with more traffic to charge more money. This is because there are some website that a lot of people visit and go to which have a lot of traffic. Like a lot of people use yahoo and google. It wouldn't be right to charge them more because those to sites are frequently used to search for things.

According to Jones, Jones states, "Some telecommunications executives have argued that they should be able to prioritize information from sources paying higher fees or serving higher purposes. A prioritized system, which would create an Internet fast lane for higher-paying content providers, would help fund network improvements, according to Internet service providers". I don't think if information was prioritized and paying higher fees will serve as an higher purpose. I feel people are just greedy and try to make as much money as possible. What they should be more concerned about instead of making more money with traffic flow is stopping all the virus and spam from floating around the internet. People maybe more happier if they weren't getting all of those pop-ups and viruses rather than how much traffic is going on. Also stated by Jones is, "Net neutrality opponents, including President Bill Clinton's former press secretary Mike McCurry, also argue that Internet service providers should be able to direct heavy traffic and screen out some material, like viruses and spam". If network neutrality is free and open internet then there should be no viruses and internet services providers should not charge for traffic. If internet service providers charge for more traffic than it won't be considered network neutrality.

People who use the internet are all affected by these debates that are going on. Nobody wants to pay for anything. Thats like a common thing in the u.s. . Anything thats free and has easy access with less stress involved is the type of stuff we like. Most Americans are going to be for network neutrality. Music musicians are even network neutrality. As stated in the article, " Rock The Net", it states, "As musicians and entrepreneurs, we understand the importance of treating all websites equally -- from the busiest online music store to the smallest blog. We urge Congress to support network neutrality.". If websites weren't treated equally people probably wouldn't visit those sites as much as they used to. Being treated fairly is all worth its while. I support network neutrailty because its free and an open source internet. I wouldn't want to pay for anything. I never want to pay for anything. Its hard to come by living today with just one job. I can only imagine how much a internet services provider would charge it there was alot of traffic involved with one website. Therefore i'm all for it.