1. Do Now How would you feel if you had to pay more for high-speed access to various websites on the internet? What plan would you join from the choices below? Explain you answer!

2. Today’s Agenda By the end of class, we will be able to… Define what net neutrality is and identify the benefits of an open internet system. Analyze the political issues concerned with network neutrality today and compare the possibly new tiered system to the open internet system.

3. Net Neutrality Network neutrality is the principle that internet users should be able to access any web content they choose and use any applications they choose, without restrictions or limitations imposed by their Internet Service Provider.

4. If you are shopping for a new appliance online you should be able to shop on any and all websites, not just the ones with whom your provider has a preferred business relationship. An Example

5. Open Internet 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. Open Internet

6. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Established by the Communications Act of 1934 as an independent U.S. government agency and is directly responsible to Congress. Regulates interstate (between states) and international communications by radio, television, satellite, and cable in all of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

7. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was America’s first successful attempt at seriously reforming regulations on telephone and broadcasting companies in more than six decades. The main goal of the Telecommunications Act was to free up the market in the communications industry. President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and a majority of the members of Congress supported the Telecommunications Act because it would give members of the public more choices in terms of the telephone services and media they could enjoy at home.

8. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) In 2003, the phrase “network neutrality” was coined when Law Professor Tim Wu presented a paper at the Silicon Flatirons conference in Boulder, Colorado. August 5, 2005: The FCC guaranteed for consumers the freedom to use their internet connections to access any content, use any applications, and attach any devices, that they choose.

9. What Do You Think? In your “Do Now” document, take five minutes and write down your ideas concerning net neutrality. Do you believe that this is a good system? Explain why or why not. What are the pros associated with net neutrality? What are the cons?

10. Reasons for Net Neutrality 1.Economic Recovery and Prosperity 2.Free Speech 3.Civic Participation 4.Marketplace of Ideas 5.Social Justice 6.Political Opportunity

11. The Big Issue Today Currently, net neutrality has become a hot issue. Internet providers have begun fighting the ruling causing lawmakers to rethink the terms associated with the internet.

12. Your Task View the two political cartoons on the handout provided and answer the questions that follow. We will analyze the two cartoons as a class in 5 minutes.

15. The Big Issue Today Large companies are fighting for the right to control how they provide internet service to their consumers.

16. Review of Net Neutrality

17. Your Task In a new Word Document, write your reaction to the current Net Neutrality debate. Do you believe internet providers have the right to create a tiered internet speed system? Do you believe the internet should remain an open network where individuals can access all websites at the same speed? Be sure to explain your answer in a well-developed paragraph of at least eight sentences.