The Battle For Net Neutrality

Net Neutrality is the law that ensures that all online data is to be treated equally, no matter who is sending or receiving that data. The internet service providers must guarantee equal priority to all websites and customers to access sites, and are not to show favoritism to a specific website or platform. Net Neutrality highlights an important concept that all websites are equal and need to be treated as such. Back in February, 2015 Net Neutrality was voted into law by the FCC board with the intentions of protecting not only consumers but also small companies that decided to go digital. Since then, the political divide over Net Neutrality continues to escalate, with Republicans against the law and Democrats in support of it. This law has come back into the spotlight as the new board of FCC members has decided to vote on its future on December 14^th. The board consists of Ajit Pai (R), Mignon Clyburn (D), Michael O’Rielly (R), Brendan Carr (R), and Jessica Rosenworcel (D).

Many people fear that the republican majority will repeal Net Neutrality, which has sparked outrage and protests across the country. Republicans argue that Net Neutrality prohibits competition between internet providers, but the competition they envision has a price to be paid.

That price lies with the consumers and websites that will be charged extra just to that they are given the same access that their competition has. Democrats argue that Net Neutrality is essential in not just promoting equality, but keeping costs low for consumers and businesses. This has turned into a Republicans vs Democrats battle, but the American people want Net Neutrality. And if representatives want to keep their jobs they need to listen to what the people want.