Obama calls for net neutrality via statement and video

Net neutrality has evolved into a more complex debate.  President Obama released a statement and a video asking the FCC to adopt net neutrality regulations.    When an internet user downloads information, it arrives in packages of data. Currently all packages of data must be delivered at the same rate, but if net neutrality is not enforced, companies can pay internet providers for their data to arrive quicker.  Earlier this year Netflix made a deal with Comcast to ensure their customers would not experience a delay in streaming videos.  While most internet consumers think of net neutrality as just affecting their movie streaming capabilities, it also has great implications for commerce, democracy etc.  Organizations paying cable companies for faster data could have greater influence as their messages would reach users first.  This also opens up the possibility that internet service providers could block websites or content.

President Obama has said that internet service should be treated as a utility like electricity or telephone. President Obama wrote, "We cannot allow Internet service providers to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas.”  Cable providers oppose Obama's message.  Verizon released a statement arguing that Obama's view is "a radical reversal of course that would in and of itself threaten great harm to the Internet.”

Currently, the fate of net neutrality rest with the chairman of the FCC, who happens to be a former cable industry lobbyist. It will be interesting to see which side of the debate he falls on. 

 http://adage.com/article/digital/obama-calls-strongest-net-neutrality/295794/