1. Net Neutrality1

2. Definition Net Neutrality can be broadly defined as the policy of Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) and Telecom Carriers treating all data equally ISP’s simply connect the end user to their network and route the user’s data/data requests to the appropriate network ISP’s could manage traffic on their networks based on load, but not based on what type of connection (TCP/UDP/IPSEC- VPN/FTP) or what type of data (Web/Voice/Video) ISP’s and Telecom’s may still charge users based on whatever pricing model is appropriate (Connection Speed or Data Cap) Net Neutrality2

3. History February 8 th 2004: FCC Chairman, Michael Powell calls for internet freedom and identifies four things that must be protected (Powell 5) Freedom to Access Content Freedom to Use Applications Freedom to Attach Personal Devices Freedom to Obtain Service Plan information These principles laid the foundation for the Open Internet Order drafted by the FCC Net Neutrality3

4. Open Internet Order The order lays out three main rules (FCC): Transparency: Broadband providers must disclose their network management practices, performance and terms of service. Blocking: Fixed Broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services and non-harmful devices Blocking: Wireless Broadband providers may not block lawful websites or applications that compete with their services Discrimination: Providers may not discriminate against lawful network traffic (no dropping or reducing bandwidth for torrent files) Net Neutrality4

5. Contrast Net Neutrality5 VisionReality Freedom to obtain service plan information ISP’s must disclose terms of service and network performance Freedom to attach personal devicesFixed ISP’s must allow the connection of devices, but Mobile ISP’s are not required to Freedom to access contentFixed ISP’s must allow access to content, but Mobile ISP’s are only required to not block web content Freedom to use applicationsFixed ISP’s must allow a lawful applications, but Mobile ISP’s only requirement is to not block competing voice or video applications

6. Story so far…. In 2008 Comcast is caught reducing bandwidth for certain data types; the FCC orders Comcast to stop doing that Comcast sued the FCC saying that they have no right to regulate them, and the ruling by the FCC was overturned in 2010 The FCC establishes the Open Internet Order in 2010 to guarantee some level of net neutrality, but did not classify the ISP’s as “common carriers” The common carrier designation is a legal term that protects both the carrier and the client/user Common carrier rules would mean that ISP’s have no authority to modify, block or make use of the data crossing their networks Verizon sues the FCC arguing that they have no right to regulate the ISP’s, the case is currently under review again In 2012 AT&T begins to allow Apple Facetime over their network Their initial blocking of the application was a clear violation of the watered down Neutrality rules Net Neutrality6

7. Quotes Why is it that the NSA can get away with spying on law abiding Americans but the FCC can't put reasonable consumer protection laws in place? – Paul Rodgers Perhaps Google should start charging Verizon and AT&T for access to their services. Once customers get a message that they cannot access their GMail because Verizon refused to pay, things might get interesting... - Netwilk Wonderful, now the cable monopolies here in NYC can slow down certain content on their already sluggish networks. And us consumers who only get a choice between TWC and TWC, well we can do what we do best, pay non-competitive prices for service with even more speed caps than before. TWC: "Don't like your internet service? How about adding phone and HD cable TV??" - ColinPoly Net Neutrality7

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9. Controversy For Net Neutrality ISP’s exist to transport data and have no right to profit from content or applications created by others and do not own the data that crosses their networks ISP’s already charge different prices for different service tiers, but they should not be able to charge based on what content is accessed, or how much of the available bandwidth is used The monopoly power of ISP’s would essentially guarantee that they would end up dominating content markets The control of all digital communications by a small group of non-competing companies would stifle innovation and hurt the economy Net Neutrality9 Against Net Neutrality ISP’s should have the right to determine what is allowed on their networks and to manage their networks and data as they see fit Regulation of the ISP’s network management policies infringes on their 1 st amendment rights ISP’s should have the right to charge different prices for different levels of service ISP’s aren’t monopolies because their services compete with each other Allowing discrimination at the packet level will increase performance of network services Implement Quality of Service for things like phone and video calls Over regulation would stifle innovation and hurt the economy

10. References: Pricing Picturehttp://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/net-neutrality- thumb-550x1224-27419.jpghttp://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/net-neutrality- thumb-550x1224-27419.jpg Blue graphic: http://www.savetheinternet.com/sites/default/files/styles/781wide_nocrop/public/topic s/topic_net-neutrality.png?itok=4jurqsYB http://www.savetheinternet.com/sites/default/files/styles/781wide_nocrop/public/topic s/topic_net-neutrality.png?itok=4jurqsYB Powell, Michael. “Preserving Internet Freeedom”. FCC. Web. February 8, 2004. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243556A1.pdf Open Interne. FCC. Web. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/open-internethttp://www.fcc.gov/guides/open-internet Common Carrier. Wikipedia. Web. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_carrierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_carrier Brodkin, Jon. “FCC’s wishy-washing rulemaking might doom net neutrality in court”. Ars Technica. Conde Nast. Web. September 10, 2013. http://arstechnica.com/tech- policy/2013/09/fccs-wishy-washy-rulemaking-might-doom-net-neutrality-in-court/http://arstechnica.com/tech- policy/2013/09/fccs-wishy-washy-rulemaking-might-doom-net-neutrality-in-court/ Bell system graphic: http://www.freepress.net/sites/default/files/fp- legacy/att_history.jpghttp://www.freepress.net/sites/default/files/fp- legacy/att_history.jpg Net Neutrality10