What is Net Neutrality?
According to the latest analysis, 89% of adult Americans regularly connect to the internet. The internet is an important tool in the daily lives of people young and old.
As an internet user, you expect to have access to an open and free internet.
The basis of an open and free internet is the concept of net neutrality. This is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must give users equal access to all legal content and applications and cannot favour certain content or services over another.
Because ISPs represent the gateway through which we all gain access to the internet, they have the power to control what you see and don’t see on the internet. Net neutrality is what prevents ISPs from exercising this power.
However, net neutrality is at risk with the Federal Communications Commission recently voting to remove net neutrality protections. This threatens the fundamental freedom of speech and free use principles which the internet is based on.
We’re here to explain to you why it’s important to protect net neutrality.
Why We Need to Protect Net Neutrality
There are many reasons why an open and free internet is vital to you.
1. Innovative Products and Services
The internet is key to the development of the many new products and services which improve our lives.
Everything from online banking, online shopping, video and audio streaming, work from home and distance learning depends on your ability to reach the content and services you want. Without net neutrality, internet service providers could block access to some services or content or prioritize content to favor specific content or services.
2. Preserving Freedom of Speech
Allowing equal access to all legal online content is fundamental to the freedom of speech.
Without net neutrality, ISPs could slow down the delivery or entirely block content they don’t agree with and prevent internet users from seeing it.
This means you might not be able to get access to the content you’re looking for.
3. Increasing Prices
If companies must pay ISPs to have their services prioritized on the internet, they’ll pass those costs on to you.
These higher prices may prevent you from being able to afford to use the internet-based products and services you’d like to use.
4. Protecting Communication Services
Telephone service is moving away from traditional copper landline services and switching to Internet-based voice over internet protocol telephone service.
Without net neutrality, ISPs could slow down the Internet-based calls from providers who don’t pay for priority service. This could potentially make your phone service slower and less reliable.
Keeping the Internet Open and Free
There are many reasons why it’s important to protect net neutrality. The internet was founded on the principle of network neutrality and preserving the open internet is important to us all.
The move to allow ISPs to block or slow information and services on the internet is a threat to freedom of speech as well as your ability to get the products and services you want.
As a web hosting provider, we support a free and open internet.
Our wide choice of web hosting solutions can be tailored to fit your needs and is just one of the reasons why our company is a great choice for your web hosting needs.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
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