Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Net Neutrality Doesn't Exist

In a June 23rd, 2014 Wired article, "What Everyone Gets Wrong in the Debate Over Net Neutrality," Robert McMillan argues that people's misunderstanding of the debate has led to misdirected protests. He argues that - contrary to public thinking - net neutrality doesn't currently exist. Most people misunderstand that many internet companies, like Google, already have Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) - also called "peering" - or fast lanes built into ISPs already. 





John Oliver, host of HBO's Last Week Tonight, argues that “Advocates...should not be talking about protecting net neutrality. They shouldn’t even use that phrase. They should call it preventing cable company f***ery, because that is what it is.”' If net neutrality doesn't exist - and this is in fact a good thing for consumers (more effective content delivery), how can we prevent ISPs from monopolizing the internet and potentially taxing firms in the future?

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