Save the Internet

Use the Internet? You need to be paying attention to net neutrality. The fate of that delightful series of tubes you love and cherish so much hangs in the balance.

So what is net neutrality? Allow me to explain.

In simplest terms, a neutral broadband network contains no restrictions on what is done with it. All content, sites, platforms, software and peripheral devices may be used with a neutral network; it’s all gravy. If one Internet user purchases a slower broadband service, and another purchases a faster one, the concept of net neutrality dictates that they must be able to communicate with one another.

Think of it rather like a freeway, with some people driving badass Ferraris and others driving jacked-up Pintos, but all drivers using the same asphalt to get where they want to go.

Sounds nice and democratic. The problem is, broadband providers currently have the power to block content and slow access to any sites they choose, including those of market competitors. That’s what the net neutrality movement is working to prevent.

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, is working his little butt off to outline a series of rules that would require Internet service providers to respect net neutrality.

There’s an entire movement behind Genachowski: a net neutrality movement that aims to keep the Internet free and equal for everyone. These groups intend to stop corporate efforts to treat traffic to some networks as more important then traffic to others.

The battle is on. Net neutrality opponents, mainly Republicans with connections to the broadband industry have recently released editorials decrying the FCC action. They argue that the telecom companies created America’s Internet infrastructure in the first place and can charge as they see fit — and they are also opposed to any government imposition on the telecommunications trade.

Several state representatives filed an unsuccessful amendment to attempt to stop new regulations in their tracks. Neutrality opponents are not going to give up anytime soon.

So what would happen if these net neutrality opponents get their way? To extend my feeble road metaphor, this would mean Ferrari owners would be allowed to access exits, tourist traps and amusement parks that those in Pintos would be kept entirely out of. It gets worse: imagine signing up for an Internet package in the same way you sign up for cable channels, picking and choosing from the websites you use the most.

Indeed, an Internet service provider could rig the network in such a way that it would take a million years to load certain Web sites, or it could block access to certain site all together. ISPs could parcel out bandwidth, and make it near impossible for users to download stuff off the Internet. They could charge extra for the use of certain sites, or offer “packages” akin to the channel selections offered by the cable networks. The ISPs could, at least in theory, do all manner of evil things.

The Internet could then change from a pleasantly egalitarian construct into a luxury product, only easily accessible by a moneyed few. Kiss goodbye to all that pesky innovation, experimentation and social networking you’ve grown accustomed to. That stuff is gonna cost extra.

The debate, of course, is whether the ISPs will actually go through with all this stuff. Some critics say that Net neutrality advocates are tilting at windmills, that the ISPs don’t have any plans to actually do such a thing.

My opinion? Of course the ISPs want to parcel out the Internet to those with more cash: That’s just the nature of capitalism. If they can make more money by parceling out superior bandwidth speed to those willing to pay a premium, they are almost certain to do it. And consider this: Do you actually like your ISP or telecommunication service? Do you trust and adore them? Or (as I suspect) do you despise them and swear on the phone at them all the time and generally hope for their slow, unpleasant death?

Good news does exist about this unpleasant business. Many major Internet content providers, such as Google, Amazon.com, Microsoft, and others are big-time advocates for Net neutrality. These companies want you to get your LOLCats and YouTube videos of dancing fat kids for a very simple reason: a totally free Internet helps them make money. The issue has garnered attention in the government as well, as evidenced by the FCC chair’s recent movement in its support. As I write this, Genachowski has reiterated his advocacy of new laws to protect net neutrality, defying the wishes of major broadband companies. The battle will continue.

So will the face of corporate evil deny us the free wheeling Internet we know and love? Folks, it’s up to us. Pay attention to the issues and don’t let the ISPs pull the wool over our eyes. The future of the digital era may hang in the balance. I trust you will join me in active rebellion if the worst comes to pass. I’ll be handing out torches and pitchforks.

Faine Greenwood is a junior in Newcomb-Tulane College. She can be reached for comment at sgreenwo@tulane.edu.