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With so much going on in today’s world, from politics to war there has been a fight to repeal net neutrality for the past few months. For you and me this is very important!
As I dedicated a blog to home automation (click here to learn more), it felt only right to discuss this topic as it can affect your decisions when choosing Smart Home Automation plus as an avid techie the upcoming decisions can have a major effect on our blog as well.
In this post, I will discuss, what Net Neutrality is and how it can harm you as a home automaton consumer?
On December 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) plan to repeal net neutrality rules.
In 2015 President Obama’s administration passed a rule called net neutrality. So what is net neutrality?
Net neutrality is the concept that all internet content and access are treated equally.
This gives content providers (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Facebook, and YOU!) should be given equal access to bandwidth by Internet Service Providers also know as ISP’s and government.
It also gave consumers the right to sue their internet providers if they throttled access to a particular website or streaming service.
This discussion has sparked predictions that the Internet will soon be divided and ran with a Slow and fast lane.
What is the concern and what is net neutrality?
For the first time, this will allow internet service providers such as Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Optimum to block or slow certain types of content and to charge users (You and me) more for faster access to what those companies class as premium content.
Some also believe the demise of net neutrality will harm innovation in America.
Then another part of America feels that nothing will change.
If this rule passed, this would destroy crucial protections for free speech, competition, and innovation online.
It would be legal for big companies as mention above to create fast lanes, throttle the speeds of competing websites, or filter out social media posts they don’t like.
This could mean that you pay more for less of the web.
Without Net Neutrality, the next Google or Facebook would never get off the ground.
There has been protesting around the country and active support on social media from likes to tweets asking the FCC and Congress to keep the net neutrality current.
Blogs and websites such as Mozilla and Reddit support a “Kill Net Neutrality” campaign on their home page.
With all that being said, we even have senators, Democrats, and independents who wrote to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai this past Tuesday asking for the vote to be delayed or abandoned.
Some Republicans have also shown some concerns, such as Rep. Mike Coffman who wrote a letter asking the FCC to delay the vote.
How can this affect me as a Smart Home Automation Consumer?
Many of the devices we use for home automation is connected to Wi-Fi which is connected to the internet.
If you are a cord cutter and watch live streaming videos, this can have a huge impact on you due to the data capping.
Exemption to authorize data caps is the biggest advantage for these companies if net neutrality is repealed.
Why would the FCC repeal net neutrality?
Ajit Pai, the Republican chairman of the FCC and former Verizon executive wants to convince the general public that repealing net neutrality is good for us.
2017 FCC Commissioners
Ajit Pai, the Republican chairman of the FCC and former Verizon executive wants to convince the general public that repealing net neutrality is good for us.
Ajit Pai and his supporters want to give ISP’s greater freedom over how they organize and charge for their services; his opponents fear the opposite.
They fear his plan will give the ISPs too much power to determine what people see online. Chairman Pai wrote a list of Myth vs.
The fact to set the record straight on “Restoring Internet Freedom Order.” FCC Myth vs. Fact
According to The Hill, FCC, FTC a partnership to police the internet after net neutrality repeal, Once the repeal is passed, the FTC will be tasked with going after internet providers that engage in unfair or deceptive practices. But many supports feel this is not enough.
Is it anything we can do to stop the FCC from repealing net neutrality?
Yes. FCC Chairman Pai wants to replace the rules with voluntary conditions that no ISP would ever comply with.
Ajit Pai unveiled his plan in a closed meeting with industry lobbyists back in April 2017. But the FCC has been swamped by millions of comments from internet users who want to keep the protections in place.
Chairman Pai has been ignoring the outcry from the public and insists to continue with the FCC vote on Dec 14, 2017
If you want to put a stop to this attack, get involved. Your voice counts! The Trump administration is doing everything in its power to hammer down on the vote.
You can join the online protest to stop the FCC, battle for the net. If we lose this battle, the impact may be greater than we anticipated.
Here is a video below from John Oliver on net neutrality
Latest Update
On Dec 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted for repealed Net Neutrality. The vote came down to a 3-2 decision. But this doesn’t mean this is it. Following the FCC’s decision, politicians from California Washington, and New York released statements explaining their support of net neutrality, and their plans going forward. Some will enforce Net Neutrality in their state and others will sue.
New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released a statement calling the FCC’s decision “a blow to New York consumers.
“I Will Sue To Stop Illegal Rollback of Net Neutrality,” said Schneiderman.
“This is not just an attack on the future of our internet. It’s an attack on all New Yorkers, and on the integrity of every American’s voice in government – and we will fight back.”
This win will give broadband carriers the ability to legally block or throttle content to companies by creating “fast lanes” for companies willing to pay more to have their services delivered at faster speeds.
This is a great example of what our reality could look like.
What’s Next After the Repeal of Net Neutrality?
Is my Netflix going to start slowing down? Will my internet service bill go up?
You will probably not experience immediate changes to your internet services.
The biggest broadband companies, like AT&T and Comcast, have promised that consumers will not see a change in how they encounter the web.
With so much attention and spotlight on them, the companies will probably be careful about changing service plans, partly to avoid angry customers and attracting lawmakers’ attention.
But significant changes could come over time.
Net neutrality debate has been brought up multiple times over the last decade or so, ending in different places depending on the political party in power. Here is a timeline of Net Neutrality.
This ruling should worry about the entire nation. Everything we know and love about the internet is being challenged, and the next generation may be shocked and surprised at the freedoms we once enjoyed online.
What do you think about The Final Stand For Net Neutrality? Please leave a comment below.
Please leave me your feedback or comment as I appreciate my audience, Thank you again for reading this post.
It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys.
It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys. View all posts by Rodney Diamond
