Hello Class! Eunize, Steven, Tessa and myself will be presenting this week on “Net Neutrality.” Please find below brief summaries of the various parts of our presentation, as well as some links to background readings and videos.
1) What is Net Neutrality?
Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all content flowing through their cables and cell towers equally. This means that ISPs should not be able to prioritize some data into ‘fast lanes’ whilst relegating other data to ‘slow lanes.’ The issue of net neutrality has recently become popularized for numerous reasons, one of which is the recent explosion of the popularity of video-streaming services. 2017 was the first year that video streaming subscriptions surpassed cable television, the figures being 613.3 million and 556 million respectively. This rise of video streaming subscription agreements. and the decline of cable, can be viewed as incentivizing cable companies and ISPs to pursue policies that run counter to net neutrality in order promoting their product. One such outcome being ISPs slowing down streaming services such as Netflix or HBO in order to encourage customers to retain their current cable packages or to purchase other video-streaming services.
Links:
“Why You Should Care About Net Neutrality”
https://www.wired.com/video/watch/why-you-should-care-about-net-neutrality?fbclid=IwAR0P7jnqaz3KHqI_KEIDZNobLh8VmpwaJZQsMvPHqqy5AK2WMbC_Bm58pzA
2) Arguments for and against Net Neutrality
In this section we will be discussing some of the arguments both in favour of and against net neutrality. It should be noted that we will be looking at these arguments from a broad and general perspective, and not in the context of any country’s particular regulatory scheme. Arguments in favour of net neutrality generally emphasize the key role that net neutrality plays in economies, the exercise of rights (such as freedom of expression), and the dangers of allowing ISPs to engage in discriminatory traffic management practices. Arguments against net neutrality suggest if net neutrality is not enforced then ISPs will be more likely to invest in better networks and innovate, and that there are in fact a number of benefits to allowing discriminatory traffic management.
Links:
“The Net Neutrality Debate in 2 Minutes or Less” (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-net-neutrality-debate-in-2-minutes-or-less/
https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/jep.30.2.127)
“Net Neutrality: A Fast Lane to Understanding the Trade-offs” (https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/jep.30.2.127)
3) Net Neutrality in the United States
This portion of the presentation will look at the regulatory history of net neutrality in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the administrative agency responsible for regulating the internet in America and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is the relevant legislation. Net neutrality appears to be a divisive issues between the Democratic and Republican parties and following Trump’s election the FCC has removed the net neutrality protections created during the Obama-era. We will conclude by examining the impact of the current lack of net neutrality protection.
Links:
“The Wired Guide to Net Neutrality”
(https://www.wired.com/story/guide-net-neutrality/)
“Net Neutrality: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU)
4) Net Neutrality in Canada
The Canadian approach to net neutrality differs from the United States. In our presentation we will discuss the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) (the main federal telecommunications regulatory body) stance on net neutrality and how they have interpreted sections 27(2) and 36 of the Telecommunications Act. We will also examine discussions and recommendations set out by the House of Commons regarding net neutrality after the FCC ruling in the United States. Further, we will discuss the net neutrality recommendations that were outlined in the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Report (2020) and criticisms that arose from it.
Links:
CRTC statement on net neutrality in Canada
(https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/diff.htm)
We look forward to presenting on Tuesday!
Brook, Tessa, Eunize and Steven