The media update team uncover what exactly net neutrality is, and the arguments that surround it.

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality refers to a principle that enforces Internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all online data the same. This means that ISPs’ must give the same access to all data, regardless of its source, destination, type, use, or mode of transport. It also means that ISPs cannot intentionally slow down certain websites or online content. Intentionally slowing down certain content is known as ‘throttling’.

The pros and cons

Pros of net neutrality:

With systems like net neutrality in place, ISPs have to treat all Internet users, and their preferred platforms, equally. This means that your ISP, for example, Afrihost or MWeb, would have to provide the same Internet connection speed to you, regardless of the websites that you visit. If you use Afrihost’s Internet service to look at MWeb products, Afrihost would not be able to slow your connection or block the site.

Many people have argued that without net neutrality laws in place, ISPs can divide the Internet into slow and fast lanes, which means that brands willing to pay premium prices will receive faster connection to their sites, while others will have to settle for a slower, second-rate connection.

Cons of net neutrality:

Despite the arguments for net neutrality, instances of ‘throttling’ are extremely rare. Ian Tuttle at National Review notes that when the FCC first attempted net neutrality regulations in 2010, they were only able to "cite just four examples of anti-competitive behaviour, all relatively minor."

Further, other arguments have been made against net neutrality, stating that it is a system that has been misinterpreted. Instead of a system of corporate competition, it is a system for network administration. This allows service providers the ability to filter out spam content and to slow down content that they feel is taking up too much space.

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With a deeper understanding of what net neutrality is, see what Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) regulatory advisor, Dominic Cull, has to say in our article, Net neutrality in America is threatened – what does that mean for South Africa?