5 Reasons We’re 100% For Net Neutrality

Earlier this month, we wrote this blog post that shared an unbiased view of the Net Neutrality Debate so that you could get a clear picture of what this debate involves without any kind of slant.

(Don’t know what “Net Neutrality” means? Get up to speed by reading this post or watching the video below.)

So, now that you’re all caught up, we want to explain why Ghost Path is 100% for Net Neutrality (a viewpoint that most internet users and small businesses share).

In a recent statement, Jim Lastinger, founder of GhostPath, explained the importance of net neutrality: “Net neutrality is absolutely vital to the continued growth of the internet, as well as the people and companies that rely on it. The United States is falling behind countries such as Brazil, who recently enacted an internet bill of rights that guarantees both net neutrality and privacy rights. We cannot afford to fall further behind and be at the mercy of giant telecoms. A permanent ruling from the FCC supporting neutrality is our best chance to insure that innovation is able to continue.”

Below are the top 5 reasons why GhostPath is completely and totally in support of keeping the Internet free and open for everyone:

Freedom of Speech – We believe that the Internet should be a free and open technology without any kind of bias or unjust favoritism.  Without net neutrality, gatekeepers could re-route, impede or even stop the flow of web traffic as they see fit.  Not cool.

Ideas & Innovation – The Internet is behind countless ideas and endless innovation, and we feel this creativity should not be stifled.  “Net Neutrality safeguards everyone’s fundamental right to an open Internet, making it possible for one person’s good idea to blossom into the next big business or, even, a movement of millions.” (Source: Save The Internet)

Economic Recovery – “The Internet has thrived and revolutionized business and the economy precisely because it started as an open technology”, and “Obama and Congress also recognized that the economy cannot benefit by building a closed Internet”. (Source: Save The Internet)

Conflicts of Interest – If network providers are able to restrict information, the temptation to inhibit competitors will be too tempting to pass up.  This means that depending on what service provider you use, you could be restricted or even penalized by accessing data that is not provided by or affiliated with your ISP.

It’s Discriminatory – With Net Neutrality, we have control over our Internet experience. However, without it, service providers could charge extra or slow down your connection depending on what you’re doing online and what sites you’re visiting.  This is discrimination and completely compromises the democratic nature of the Internet.

Do you support Net Neutrality, too?

Sign the petition (we did!) to show your support and keep the Internet FREE and OPEN!

 

Should The Internet Be Free & Open? The Net Neutrality Debate

Screen Shot 2014-05-07 at 3.36.07 PMIn case you’re unfamiliar, let’s get you up to speed. 

Net Neutrality is the notion that the Internet should be “open” so that all users can access any content they please and use any applications without limitations and without being charged by internet service providers (ISP) based on the variety of content or quantity of bandwidth used.

What exactly is this debate about then?

Well, recently the Appeals Court ruled that the Open Internet Order’s rules are no longer valid.  And, these rules prohibited ISPs from blocking specific sites and charging for more bandwidth (i.e. faster connection).

With this ruling, ISPs are now allowed to block sites, limit, tier and give preferential treatment to those who are willing to pay for better, faster connections and more access.

Prior to this decision the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforced “Net Neutrality”, which meant users and consumers could consume the content of their choice in a fair manner.  Now, competition is the governing force, not regulation.

So, what does that mean?

It means that big companies that can afford it (think Netflix, Google, Facebook, etc.) will easily be able to pay for fast connections, whereas new start-ups will not.  Plus, users will be subject to slower connections for sites and applications that refuse to pay for faster connectivity.

Also, without Net Neutrality regulations, ISPs could give preferential treatment to a search engine (for example) that they signed a contract deal with, and then that ISP could incentivize customers to use that particular search engine by charging users more to use others.

You decide…

Should the Internet be free and open?  Or should vendors pay for the bandwidth they’re using?

Have something to say?

The FCC is collecting public comments to help them develop their new set of guidelines.  Click here to voice your opinion!