Sorry…What Is Net Neutrality Again? A Handy Q&A
Websites that produce a lot of video, like Netflix and YouTube, make up a huge percentage of internet traffic, and they make a lot of money off advertising and subscriptions. Internet providers have been frustrated by that—they have to invest billions of dollars to make fatter pipes to carry all that data but have a more difficult time monetizing the increasing web traffic.
.. New FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by Donald Trump, believes net neutrality and the utility classification stifle innovation and investment. He has decided to throw out the rules altogether. His proposal will be voted on by FCC commissioners on Dec. 14, and it will likely pass along party lines.
.. Broadband companies in theory could start to charge for different packages of websites, much as they do for cable tv packages. But none have announced any such plans. For the most part, they have been pushing faster broadband connections (and higher prices) as internet usage, particularly video streaming, surges. Chairman Pai said he believes prices could fall because internet companies could get money from websites rather than consumers.
.. The FCC will require internet providers to disclose any websites they throttle, block or have paid prioritization deals with. The FCC said the Federal Trade Commission will watch out for unfair business practices or anticompetitive behavior.