The PBS Idea Channel explored the net neutrality subject of ISP reclassification to be considered public utilities. It’s a loaded, game-changing topic and I think it goes hand-in-hand with the definition of broadband. What bandwidth speed is fast enough to utilize the Internet? Perhaps more importantly, what monthly data cap should be considered sufficient to use the Internet?
The views discussed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of PBS or its member stations. All thoughts and opinions presented are the province of Mike Rugnetta.
Is the internet a public utility? No. Should it be? That’s an interesting question. The Internet, as we’ve said many a time, is a glorious series of tubes, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) sell us access to those tubes. But the FCC is considering a new Two Tiered system, in which some companies could pay ISPs for faster delivery. This topic (aka Net Neutrality) has made us think about the important role the internet plays in our lives. Is internet access so important that it should be classified as a public utility or common carrier, like water & electricity, or public buses and subways? Watch the episode and find out!
Opposing views on Net Neutrality:
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/interne…
http://www.heritage.org/research/repo…
http://www.cato.org/publications/poli…Further Reading:
http://www.savetheinternet.com/net-ne…
http://www.columbia.edu/dlc/wp/citi/c…
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/what…
http://www.akamai.com/dl/akamai/akama…
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/31/bus…
http://www.fcc.gov/document/protectin…
http://business.time.com/2013/01/09/i…
http://www.brookings.edu/research/pap…
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/net-…
http://blog.netflix.com/2014/03/inter…
http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/22/574…
https://www.aclu.org/net-neutrality
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs…
Assets:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15…
Doobly-doo
3:23
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/what…
https://www.publicknowledge.org/issue…