What Is Net Neutrality Fighting Against?
Censored Speech and Content.
Without Net Neutrality, network providers can block or slow down access to sites they don't like. Earlier this year, AOL blocked all emails that mentioned www.dearaol.com, an advocacy group that was challenging AOL's pay-to-send e-mail scheme.
No User Choice.
Without Net Neutrality, network providers – not you – will determine what services and equipment you can use on the Internet. For example, Cingular Wireless, run by AT&T, bars access to PayPal because it has struck a deal with another online payment service, which pays Cingular for that privileged status.
Expensive Downloads.
Without Net Neutrality, network providers could charge you more to download your favorite videos or music, or to use services such as Rhapsody, YouTube, Napster, and iTunes. Network providers can also tell you which download service you have to use, charging you a toll if you decide to use one of their competitors.
Closing Doors to Online Community.
Millions of Americans go online to meet other people who have similar political or personal interests. Without Net Neutrality, network owners can dictate who you interact with on the internet and how much you have to pay. Think it can’t happen? Think again. Just this summer, BellSouth blocked its customers’ access to the popular Myspace.com social networking site in Tennessee and Florida.
