Word of the Day: Net Neutrality

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |June 11, 2018

Net Neutrality Net Neutrality is the principle that data packets on the internet should be moved impartially, without regard to content, destination or source. The term originated in a paper written by Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu in 2003, entitled "Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination." In the United States, the debate about Net Neutrality centers around the question of government regulation and whether internet access should be legally classified as an opt-in service or a public utility.  If internet service providers (ISPs) in the U.S. furnish information services, they fall under Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 and are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. If they provide a utility, however, they fall under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 and are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.   For much of the history of the internet, companies that provided broadband internet access were classified as information services and were overseen by the FTC. In 2010, under the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that broadband internet providers were common carriers and as such, would be regulated under Title II.   This change in classification gave the FCC the legal power to prohibit broadband internet providers from slowing or blocking internet content delivery to consumers. It also prohibited broadband providers from prioritizing traffic from edge providers who are willing to pay higher fees for faster delivery, a practice known as zero rating. The ruling was challenged in the court system, but upheld.   In June 2018, under a new presidential administration, the FCC reversed its decision and ordered that broadband internet access service be returned to its Title I classification. The official reason for the reclassification is to "eliminate burdensome regulation that stifles innovation and deters investment and empower Americans to choose the broadband internet access service that best fits their needs."  The new order, which is entitled "Restoring Internet Freedom," promotes transparency under current antitrust and consumer protection laws. Quote of the Day "The previous rules required internet service providers, or ISPs, to provide equal treatment for all traffic on their networks. Under the new rules, ISPs would no longer have these restrictions, as long as they provide notice of traffic-treatment policies to their customers." - Irwin Lazar   Trending Terms FCC common carrier Telecommunications Act of 1996 edge provider zero rating two-tiered Internet   Learning Center Net neutrality repeal could limit telehealth providers Net neutrality repeal's implications on telehealth providers include potentially restricting the ability of small and rural hospitals and some doctors' practices to send and receive medical images and use health IT. Lifting Net neutrality rules can't promise long-term carrier climate Carriers will be allowed to charge customers for priority services if the FCC eliminates neutrality rules, but the carrier win could have its problems, because no one knows the ultimate outcome of the change. Three-step network strategy sells big changes as more doable To sell a revolutionary network strategy internally, break it down into three steps that emphasize a solid virtual device model and well-thought-out TCO and ROI. Comparison of popular technical SD-WAN service models Network pros may need help deciding which SD-WAN service model option best suits their organizations' needs. While two options exist, more could be coming. Learn more in this comparison. Why SDN and NFV thinkers should care about net neutrality Now that a circuit court struck down net neutrality rules, will SDN and NFV be used as tools to create an anti-competitive Internet? Writing for Business The bandwidth demands of the average Internet user have increased dramatically since the _____. A. 1990s B. 1990's Answer   Stay In Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com   Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed!   FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2018 TechTarget. All rights reserved.