Net Neutrality: a

Basic Human Right

◤
 What is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality: the • Freedom of internet

principle that Internet usage, access to all
service providers should websites
enable access to all • Unprioritized data to
content and applications all who currently have
regardless of the source, internet access
and without favoring or • Unprioritized
blocking particular treatment for higher
products or websites. paying consumers
• No "fast lanes" for
better customers
◤
Fears of No
Net Neutrality
▪ Many believe that no Net Neutrality will lead to throttling internet
speeds for those paying less.
▪ Prioritizing access to certain websites based on a "paid
subscription" similar to television providers
▪ Discrimination of what is considered use within bandwidth. (Does
sending a text use data? Can I use Wifi for data on my cell
phone?)
▪ Many with limited access to internet will not be able to apply for
jobs, complete schoolwork, make major purchases, or do
research 
▪ This may lead to monopolization of larger corporations that
provide internet, as smaller providers won't be able to match the
speeds at a cost-effective rate
 ◤
History of the Net Neutrality Debate

▪ In the early 2000's, providers

began banning VPN's and use of
private Wi-Fi routers
▪ In 2005, the FCC fines Madison
River for blocking usage of internet
phone calls
▪ 2008 and 2009: AT&T and
Comcast are caught throttling
usage of certain apps including
Skype and BitTorrent
▪ In 2015, the FCC passes a net
neutrality order, preventing the
prioritization of apps regardless of
platform and userbase
▪ In 2017, the FCC once again votes
to remove Net Neutrality, allowing
providers to throttle and block
content as they see fit. 
 Ajit Pai and His Contributions
to Upturn Net Neutrality
• Ajit Pai is the current chairman of
the FCC appointed by President
Trump in January 2017
• Naming his attack on Net Neutrality
the "Restoring Internet Freedom
Order", Pai criticised Net Neutrality
as a danger to the free market
(somehow)
• Pai cited heavy-handed
government regulation as a
negative for free use of internet,
seemingly against the greater
wishes of Congress
• On December 14th, 2017, Pai and
his followers voted to disband Net
Neutrality. This went into effect on
June 11, 2018. 
 ◤
The Internet Should Be Equally Accessable
to All
▪ The internet today is a part of daily
life.  It is used in work,
communication, leasure, job
applications, research, picture
storage, and a plethora of other
things
▪ Throttling of internet access for
those who can't afford it could be
devistating for the less fortunate
▪ Small businesses working on
thinner profit margins would have
issues competing with large
corporations
▪ The only ones to benefit from the
lack of Net Neutrality are the
established internet providers who
already run a monopoly in
providing access to homes and
businesses.