Imagine that you had to pay a “premium” to access sites such as Netflix and Hulu because they are more bandwidth intensive. Today, you visit Netflix and watch a movie just as easily as someone sends an email even though each action has starkly different technical requirements. If we get down to it, streaming a 2 hour video is far more “costly” than sending a 5000 word email. Internet providers are lobbying to be able to charge and control the traffic on their networks, rather than just being a transparent provider. Just recently, the FCC ruled that broadband internet is considered a “telecommunications service.” Meaning that it must be treated similar to public utilities like electricity or telephone lines. Large communications companies such as Verizon, Comcast, TW, etc, continue to fight this ruling and have it overturned.

1. Visit the following links: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/huge-win-open-internet-fcc-officially-embraces-title-ii, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2psly3euy78. Research and discuss some of the recent (< 1 1/2 years) legislative lobbying that has occurred.

2. Discuss whether or not you are for or against Net Neutrality. Support your position.