Net neutrality is an issue that deals with restrictions being placed on internet content. The basic issue is that internet providers could be able to restrict access on certain content on the web because the provider does not agree with the content. Some fear that internet service providers could make partnerships with companies and restrict access to competitors. Basically, the people using the internet should decide what content is used and not ISPs deciding this for the people.
On September 21 2009, the Federal Communications Commission proposed certain guidelines to prevent the big ISPs like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T from blocking or restricting content. These guidelines are as follows:
1) Consumers are entitled to access whatever lawful internet content they want.
2) Consumers are entitled to run whatever applications and services they want, subject to the needs of law enforcement.
3) Consumers can connect to networks whatever legal devices they want, so long as they do not harm them.
4) Consumers are entitled to competition between networks, applications, services and content providers.
5) Service providers are not allowed to discriminate between applications, services and content outside of reasonable network management.
6) Service providers must be transparent about the network management practices they use.[1]
It is important to note that these are just guidelines and none of this is law yet. It is not known what would happen if one of the big ISPs violated these guidelines.
Two big companies that are actually for net neutrality are Google and Skype. They claim that the cable and phone companies that control our access to the internet are stifling creativity and an open marketplace. The CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, went so far as to write an open letter to users of Google about the threat that the big phone and cable companies pose to net neutrality.
[1] http://seekingalpha.com/article/163730-will-fcc-s-6-principles-achieve-true-net-neutrality
