Net Neutrality - A Look at the Future of Internet

The Internet is an indispensable medium. The success story of Internet has evolved free from complex government regulation. But there is an increasing threat that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will alter the accessible, open and neutral platform upon which the Internet was founded. Net neutrality might be one of the most discussed, least understood concept in the world of Internet policy. Owing to the fact that there are so many definitions with so many apparently different goals - the net neutrality debate at times seems only about what it is rather than whatit should (or should) not be. The paper does a status check on the current stand and position on net neutrality. The paper has been written from the vantage point of the United States - where the concept originated and is discussed most vocally. The implications are worldwide though. In addition to the already bad precedent set in the Netflix vs. Comcast case - where Comcast customers to Netflix faced degraded connection - and Netflix eventually had to relent and pay to Comcast; there are several such signs of a future where Internet might not be free. The present stand is that in May 2014 Federal Courts Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler seemingly is attempting to reclassify and regulate the Internet as a public utility. Lobbyist organizations like NCTA (National Cable and Telecom Association) and CTIA (Cellular Telecom and Internet Association) are also funding consumer groups to rally against a democratic Internet. Then there are organizations like the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) which seek to defend civil liberties in the digital world and are championing the cause of net neutrality. Internet is the single greatest technology of our time and should not be at the mercy of corporations. It is also noted that these big Internet providers are not targeting content providers but rather end users to pay for the special Quality of Service (QOS). It is also seen that internet fast-lanes - one of the mostly hotly debated topic today - might be understood. In some form - through the use of Content delivery Network (CDN) - these fast-lanes already exist. It can be concluded that the problem today is not fast-lanes but undue control over fast speeds. The focus should not be to keep the network neutral but rather to ensure there is increased competition between ISPs - and to promote a vibrant market for fast Internet speeds open to everyone.