Science Friday Podcast Recap: The Debate Over Net Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission or the FCC recently released to the public its net neutrality proposal. The rules set forth in the proposal are intended to promote and protect an open Internet. On the other hand, how to go forward from there and put the plan into motion has yet to be determined. Also, what does this plan mean for Web-users? For those who provide on the Web? Is this proposal bringing about the end of the open Internet? Net neutrality, though there are still conflicting definitions thereof, is that Internet traffic should be treated equally no matter what content of service is being accessed. This limits if not completely removes the power of companies to Internet providers to limit their customers to certain realms of the Internet. The FCC did this for two main reasons. One is that it is an initiative for which President Obama provides hefty support and endorsement. Second, there are currently no established laws of net neutrality in the United States.