Why everyone is talking about net neutrality and what it actually means

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is the catch-all phrase to talk about the web being impartial. It means that data is treated the same no matter what it is relaying from company to customer or the size of the company.

Rules in the US established that internet service providers (ISPs) should not slow down, block or charge more for certain websites to be displayed faster.

The rules, brought in by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), stop ISPs from offering data “fast lanes” for companies or users which pay up and “slow lanes” for every one else.

However, there’s now a move by the FCC to repeal the rules, much to the exasperation of web users and technology companies.

What would a world without net neutrality look like?

The fear is that without the rules big companies with established user bases would become even more dominant because they would reluctantly pay to ensure services were accessible.

Supporters say there would be more buffering, blocking, censorship and extra fees, if the rules were repealed.

“No one – regardless of their political affiliation – wants their cable company to control what they can see and do on the internet, or to charge extra fees to access the content they want,” said Evan Greer, from Fight For The Future, one of the groups supporting net neutrality.

“The internet has given more people a voice than ever before, and that transformative power is worth fighting for.”

In addition, they argue it would be harder for new companies to get a foot in the door and reach potential customers because they would be stuck in the “slow lane” without significant funding to pay the ISPs. Consumers would get a worse customer experience.

Without the level playing field, innovation and entrepreneurship would be crippled, supporters of net neutrality say. The big companies could censor people and perspectives online.

Why is it in the news now?

July 12 has been assigned as Net Neutrality Day in response to the possible FCC backtrack. A day of action is taking place to make more people aware of the FCC proposals and the implications.

It is backed by campaigner groups Fight For The Future, Internet Association and some high-profile technology companies. Facebook, Netflix, Amazon, Google, Twitter, Mozilla, Reddit, Snapchat, Dropbox, Airbnb, Vimeo and more besides are all supporting it.

In the US, websites are showing banners and messages reiterating the importance of net neutrality. The hope is that their voice will be heard in Washington DC.

Champions are organising mass protest letters and signatures to be sent to the FCC to sway opinion and keep a free and open web.