Tech Talk: Net Neutrality
The twenty first century is the age of the internet with videos, music, and information at your fingertips when and wherever you want it.
But that comes with a price, cell-phones and other mobile devices are hogging bandwidth and now internet service providers are trying to figure out how to best manage their networks.
Net Neutrality is a big phrase for a simple concept; it means that internet users have the right to view information when, wherever and at the fastest speeds available without the influence of their internet service providers.
However, the proliferation of mobile devices has put huge strains on
networks, causing them to rethink how they offer the internet to their customers.
One of those options is by restricting the types of information users can view or use; that may include video, streaming music, file sharing, or online gaming.
Another way companies are looking at is giving preferences to websites like allowing Youtube to load faster then other sites like Hulu.
Net Neutrality advocates bemoan these plans as already rich corporations trying to bilk consumers out of even more money.
Tom Notton, Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Superior says it's important for the companies to balance their need to make a buck and their customer's expectations.
"If in a perfect world would we all want access to all the content whenever we want as quick as we want sure, but the pipe isn't wide open for all of us all the time and the more people that want access to content the tougher it is going to be to find that balance."
Google and Verizon have actually submitted a net-neutrality proposal to the FCC.
The document says web traffic wouldn't be prioritized at public institutions, but would allow I-S-P's to offer different types of internet services, like video or online gaming.
In 2007 Comcast the nations number two internet provider was sued after it was discovered the company was blocking certain kinds of internet traffic.
A settlement was reached, and Comcast agreed to payout 16-millions dollars.
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