NetNeutrality

What is it? Why should YOU care?

 What Is the 'Open Internet?'

The "Open Internet" is the Internet as we know it, a level playing field where
consumers can make their own choices about what applications and services to use,
and where consumers are free to decide what content they want to access, create, or
share with others. The FCC seeks to ensure that the Internet remains a powerful
platform for innovation and job creation; to empower consumers and entrepreneurs;
to protect free expression; to promote competition; to increase certainty in the
marketplace by providing greater predictability for all stakeholders regarding federal
policy in this area, and to spur investment both at the "edge," and in the core of our
broadband networks. - http://www.fcc.gov/guides/open-internet
 The FCC and the Open Internet

The FCC is currently considering a proposal for rules for the Open Internet that would establish that behavior harmful to
consumers or competition by limiting the openness of the Internet will not be permitted. The proposed rules would ensure:

1. Transparency: That all ISPs must transparently disclose to their subscribers and users all relevant information as to the
policies that govern their network

2. No Blocking: That no legal content may be blocked

3. No Unreasonable Discrimination: That ISPs may not act in a commercially unreasonable manner to harm the Internet,
including favoring the traffic from an affiliated entity.
 Why is an Open Internet important?

Because broadband companies provide the only access consumers and

businesses have to the Internet, it is critical that they abide by rules of the road
meant to preserve the Open Internet for all. In addition,
investment and innovation have flourished under the Open Internet rules. The
FCC will seek public comment on rules of the road for protecting and
promoting the Open Internet in the coming months.
 Why has the FCC been taking action?
In January, a federal court struck down two rules from an Order the FCC adopted in 2010, called the
Open Internet Order, meant to ensure that high-speed Internet Service Providers (“broadband providers”)
treat all Internet traffic equally and fairly.
What rules were struck down?

The court struck down rules that barred broadband providers from blocking legal content, applications
and services, and barred fixed broadband providers (generally speaking, non-mobile broadband providers)
from unreasonably discriminating among legal Internet traffic.
Why is an anti-blocking rule important?

Broadband providers furnish consumers with an on-ramp to the Internet. We need to ensure that they do
not exploit that role through blocking or creating barriers to lawful content, websites or services.
Why about anti-discrimination?

We need to ensure that broadband providers don't discriminate against legal Internet traffic or businesses
online, giving some preferred treatment, in ways that harm consumers or the economy.
 Net Neutrality Offensive

“In a nutshell, network neutrality strikes at the heart of library core values of
intellectual freedom and equitable access to information,” said Larra Clark, the
American Library Association’s director of network programs.

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/07/11/higher-education-and-library-groups-present-net-neutrality-principles#ixzz394ZAcYdg

Inside Higher Ed
 Net Neutrality Offensive

“As all of higher education is being pressured to keep costs down, the ... increased
costs of internet would be contrary to this federal priority of trying to watch higher
education expenses,” Meloy said. “I think it’s hard to downplay how important free,
open and readily accessible internet is to colleges and universities throughout --
including the students, the faculty, the administrators and staff that have to run the
institutions.”

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/07/11/higher-education-and-library-groups-present-net-neutrality-principles#ixzz394ZMMgs7

Inside Higher Ed
Net Neutrality Offensive
Net neutrality principles:
Ensure neutrality on public networks
Prohibit blocking of content
Protect against content discrimination
Prohibit "fast lanes"
Prevent degradation
Enable reasonable network management
Provide transparency
Continue speed-based pricing
Adopt enforceable policies
Accommodate public safety
Maintain status quo on private networks
Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/07/11/higher-education-and-library-groups-present-net-neutrality-principles#ixzz394ZZZbYd
Inside Higher Ed
 ALA Files Comments Supporting Net
Neutrality
“Network neutrality strikes at the heart of library core values of intellectual
freedom and equitable access to information,” stated Courtney Young,
president of the ALA. “We are extremely concerned that broadband Internet
access providers currently have the opportunity and financial incentive to
degrade Internet service or discriminate against certain content, services and
applications.”

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/ala-files-comments-supporting-net-neutrality_b88282
 Ending net neutrality: Leaving K-12 behind

“ISPs may not even deem educational content to be a significant use of their
bandwidth. With the proposed change, these corporations could decide on a whim
what content deserves to be sped up or slowed down. It isn’t hard to imagine that
educational materials could take a back seat to entertainment providers (such as
Netflix or gaming services). Our policymakers and education leaders should know
that maintaining net neutrality is important for Minnesota’s children.”

Nick Stumo-Langer - http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/blog/hindsight/ending-net-neutrality-leaving-k-12-behind - July 25, 2014

What does this mean for you?
Lets go online…