Don't be fooled: Net neutrality is about more than just blocking and throttling | Brookings
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The net neutrality debate has huge implications beyond the reductive "blocking and throttling" buzzwords that ISPs use to characterize it.

Don’t be fooled: Net neutrality is about more than just blocking and throttling::The net neutrality debate has huge implications beyond the reductive “blocking and throttling” buzzwords that ISPs use to characterize it.

  • ryan
    41•8 months ago

    Couple points:

    The issue isn’t “net neutrality.” The issue isn’t even about an “open internet.” The issue that is once again before the FCC is whether those that run the most powerful and pervasive platform in the history of the planet will be accountable for behaving in a “just and reasonable” manner.

    Absolutely true. The Internet is essentially a basic utility at this point and those managing it should have accountability, like other basic services, like water… I’d say “or electricity” but I live in PG&E territory…

    Second point:

    Mischaracterizing net neutrality as “blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization” also creates an opening for ISPs to proclaim they are now against such practices. “We do not block, slow down or discriminate against lawful content,” Comcast’s web page proclaims.

    This is disingenuous on so many fucking levels. Sure, Comcast doesn’t slow anything down anymore, but they do offer the Peacock streaming service for free on certain tiers, which naturally incentivizes you towards watching those shows rather than paying for a second service. T-Mobile used to do the same thing with Netflix, I remember. This is still a violation.

    Anyway, once the FCC does its best to keep the Internet from being a shithole, who do we yell at until it’s considered actually a basic utility and prices come down and it’s available to literally all Americans?

    • Baron Von JEnglish
      15•8 months ago

      Anyway, once the FCC does its best to keep the Internet from being a shithole, who do we yell at until it’s considered actually a basic utility and prices come down and it’s available to literally all Americans?

      Congress and the President.

      • @grueEnglish
        6•8 months ago

        State and local governments, too. In a lot of cases, it’s state governments making laws prohibiting municipal broadband, and municipalities signing franchise agreements to create local ISP monopolies.

    • @dis_honestfamiliarEnglish
      1•8 months ago

      Good points here. I mostly agree. Just wanted to mention one counter point. Having it as utility might not be so great. It stunts growth. I mean when did any utility service ever made a great innovative improvement. It has no incentive to improve. It just exists. Also, they are more regulated by government.

      I want net neutrality for other reasons, but stopping them from diverting traffic is on my lowest priority.