Opinion of Net Neutrality

[bedstuy]

This is something I diverge with Libertarians on. Then again they don't really know what it is and assume it is an EVUL GUVMENT REGULASHIN

Do you know what it is though?

[bedstuy]

Freedom Neutrality.  

This is the correct answer. Literally every argument against Net Neutrality I've heard/read was based largely in the person making it's ignorance of what Net Neutrality even is.

Here's the only decent argument.

Right now, there are certain internet applications that are impossible due to lack of bandwidth.  Maybe the only obvious one is streaming HD video across wireless networks.  So, you can't get an HD video conference on your Ipad when you're on the train.  If you could prioritize that kind of traffic across the internet, you might be able to boost the speed enough to allow new applications. 

The problem with that argument is that 10 years ago you couldn't stream audio on your wireless device.  And, now you can.  Bandwidth seems to basically keep pace with the web applications we want.  How often do you say, my internet speed is too slow to do "XYZ?"  For me, it's somewhere around never.  When I'm on the go, I don't really want to use high-bandwith applications.  I don't want to stream a full HD movie on my phone while I'm on the bus.  When I'm at home, my home wifi is as fast enough for streaming netflix.  The market is not screaming out for an end to net neutrality.

So, why does Comcast hate net neutrality?  They want to use their market power to extract economic rents.  They want to bully google, Netflix and such into giving them money.  They want to turn an efficient and open market into the most profitable market for Comcast.  That would be bad for consumers, bad for the economy, bad for content creators, bad for new startups and innovators, and good for the big players in the broadband market. 

[bedstuy]

Horrible neutrality

Okay what's wrong with it

Without ISPs being able to "discriminate" against certain users, costs have to go up for everybody and that makes the Internet less accessible.  Its the same reason why people's water is metered. 

Your internet provider can charge more money for faster speeds.  That's a fairly common model when it comes to internet.  Verizon has one price for 25 Mbps, another price for 150 Mbps and another price for 500 Mbps.

And, why is that a broken model?  Internet providers are not going out of business.  Internet is not getting more expensive on a Mbps basis.  It's actually getting cheaper on a per Mbps basis.  We just have a few companies who are complaining and want to make even more money.  And, those people claiming that net neutrality will lead to companies deciding not to invest in one of their core businesses  have the burden of proof here.  It hasn't happened yet and it seems rash to create all these massive problems and change the basic way the internet works in order to address a problem that doesn't even exist.