Verizon just won a major battle against Net Neutrality. A US appeals court struck down the notion that the FCC can require major ISPs to treat all Internet traffic as equal. Put another way, this ruling opens Pandora’s box of paid channels for the rich and poor. Those that can and are willing for access to websites like Google, Bing, Yahoo, Netflix, Facebook and other major sites may have to pay top dollar. The possibility now exists for companies like AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and other provides to package websites and search engines much like you currently pay for cable packages.
Individuals who cannot pay for this access will not have access to major search engines, websites or access to small business website. Individuals with the ability to pay [potentially high prices] can have full access to information. So, what is the worst that could happy if we loose Net Neutrality?
- Small business websites and owners may have to pay premium prices to have their websites show up or be found at all.
- Individuals who cannot afford access to the Internet [above the price they currently pay for ISPs] will no longer have access to online information.
- Only the wealthy or well-off will be able to have full access [based on what the ISP deems worthy].
- News channels and independent news outlets will be shut down.
- The majority of websites on the Internet will loos massive amounts of website traffic, data, revenue and exposure.
- Small business who focus on e-commerce, m-commerce and rely on the Internet for their livelihood will be driven out of business.
- Small business who rely on the Internet to drive sales leads will see the lead flow choked or completely shut down, resulting in business closure.
- Large companies will have the ability to fully control what you see online because they have the budget to pay for what YOU see.
- The very basis of the Internet is: it is free for everyone. no one person or company has control of the Internet. opens the door of ‘freedom of information’ for all.
- The very thing that makes the Internet so unique is access and the level playing field that is created for all.
There is hope…Internet users beat SOPA and PIPA…they have not gone away but with consistant attention, debate and objection from the masses – be prepared to loose one of the most important inventions of all time.
