Chapter 4 Net Neutrality

     Net Neutrality is word the majority of individuals have never heard of. What exactly is it? Net Neutrality means the pricing of Internet broadband service by telephone and cable companies. These companies provide the backbone to the ISPs also known as the Internet service provider. In other words, net neutrality is all of the Internet traffic that travels to the same place at the same time.
    For business purposes, there is a major threat of private businesses charging whatever they would like to charge in the market. For example, private businesses can charge more for certain things, such as Netflix, meanwhile, they could slow down the use of YouTube. Technically these businesses cannot slow down the traffic; however, they can charge the consumer by tier pricing. Tier pricing means, one pays according to the amount of Internet that one uses. For example one would be charged for their use of Netflix if it is in higher demand for that person.
    One might be asking, why the government might not be involved. The FCC is ok, with the fact that tier pricing might exist; however, the FCC does not want "discriminatory behavior." Meaning, that all information must keep flowing without being discriminated against. For example, a carrier might offer phone service and might ban the use of Skype, this is discrimination towards Skype. According to the FCC, carriers cannot do that. Everything needs to be open, hence tier pricing comes into effect.
    For business purposes, it is a wash on whether this is a good practice to use or not. One can argue for and against it. Personally, I see the point in companies trying to make money off of consumers using certain things on the Internet; however, with the general public this will not go over so well.  There is a reason why Netflix, YouTube, and Skype are extremely popular. (Personally I do not have use for any of those, and I think it is a waste of time). Companies and carriers, need to keep things the way they are. If they start charging the consumer for usage, I think down the road, those carrier/companies will go belly up. Obviously, I am against network neutrality, and this will hurt the Internet, and more people will be in up roar over their carriers charging  additional money for their usage of Internet services.