Without net neutrality, Internet service providers will be able to charge web companies for ‘fast lanes,’ which they can’t do now. Smaller online video or videogame providers could be relegated to the slow lane. The biggest service providers (Netflix, Google, Amazon, and others) may have to cough up extra money, but the consumers won’t see any of that—all the benefits will go to the ISPs. Consumers could see their rates go up.
Higher fees for lousier service. Does this sound familiar? That’s how cable companies have operated for years.
Not surprisingly, virtually everyone hates this idea except the cable companies themselves. The telecommunications industry, though, is very excited about the prospect of all the money they’re going to make. …
[Y]our Internet service provider (ISP) will be allowed to bundle websites just like they bundle television channels. Of course, ISPs claim they will do no such thing, but why should we trust them? Some experts say it’s unlikely that they would risk antagonizing consumers, but more likely is a shift toward plans where content providers favored by the ISP are given preferential treatment.
If net neutrality goes away, no longer will anyone be able to set up a website and turn it into a thriving business by offering popular content. They’ll first need to raise money to pay the ISPs, or else face being relegated to the slow lane.
