Internet Neutrality

QUESTION

Please read the article A Primer on Network Neutrality and write a 5-7 paragraph essay on whether you agree or disagree with the idea of net neutrality. That is, do you agree or disagree with the idea that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites? You may use the readings, in-class discussions, and any other outside sources, which should be cited. The essay should have an introduction and conclusion paragraph, with your main points in the body.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10272-008-0237-z

ANSWER

Internet Neutrality

Introduction

Internet neutrality or network neutrality are terms that refer to the idea that the telecommunications, information processing, and internet networks in the world ought to remain open, largely managed by the users, and should not be discriminatory (Frieden 4). The network neutrality principle calls for the end-to-end connectivity networks providers to provide access equality to all subscribers without the regulation of access to content. With neutrality, network and internet providers treat all the data and information available on the internet equally. As such, they cannot charge users differently or discriminate against them on the grounds of content, platforms, application, the method of communication, the websites visited, or the type of attached equipment. People seem to be divided on whether internet neutrality is a good principle or not, with both sides having their own arguments on the issue.

Internet neutrality has a number of advantages for the users, even though it inconveniences the network providers to a great extent. I do not think that internet neutrality needs to be imposed since the concept cripples the ability of internet service providers to provide high-end networks and participate in research and development of the current network standards. Research and development require funds and resources, as does the setting up of infrastructure that is necessary for the implementation of future network standards. With internet neutrality, these funds would be hard to come by, since all the internet users shall be charged equally regardless of the methods of communication that they use or the different application of network (Bauer 2006).

Even though the developments in the provision of internet and network, such as routers and networking devices, make it easy to prioritize and manage traffic, people who advocate for network neutrality require internet service providers to adhere to the principle of not discriminating users (Frieden 6). They even claim that if internet service providers are allowed to continue discriminating on service and price terms, the discrimination may eviscerate the internet and allow the providers to shut out or delay their competitors and users who may be unwilling to pay surcharges and premium prices. However, this argument is not true since it would not be commercially feasible to unreasonably degrade service or even discriminate users. The argument is not good enough since there is no evidence to support the allegations levelled against the internet service providers.

The main reason why internet service providers differentiate service in terms of price, quality and features is to enable them to accommodate the increasing diversity in the requirements of the internet users while making money for investment in network development. Internet service providers wish to provide quality service to online gamers and IPTV users. This service requires the provision of fast traffic streams, which requires prioritization to ensure that bits arrive on time, regardless of whether there is a network congestion (Frieden 6). This requires favoring specific network streams and comes at a cost, which has to be shouldered by the users. Network neutrality would make it difficult to provide such services to the customers.

CONCLUSION

Network development requires incentives and investment in the setting up of infrastructure and systems. Compulsory or imposed internet neutrality would result in the creation of disincentives for providers to invest in the development of next-generation networks and upgrades (Bauer 2006). This is because carriers mostly depend on the offering of new services and internet packages to recoup their investment. Internet service providers will avoid investing huge amounts of money and resources in internet infrastructure if network flexibility is removed and network neutrality imposed (Frieden 6). In order for the world to enjoy faster speeds and better connections, and for service providers to actively engage in network standards development, there is a need for internet content discrimination, to enable users to pay premium prices that can be directed to network development efforts.

Works Cited

Frieden, Rob. “A primer on network neutrality.” Intereconomics 43.1 (2008): 4-15.

Bauer, Johannes M. “Dynamic effects of network neutrality.” (2006).