The Internet plays a pivotal role not just as a platform, but as a catalyst for innovation, financial growth, and democracy.Net Neutrality according to www.fcc.gov is having an open Internet which means that consumers can go where they want, when they   want. In other words ISP would treat all data that travels over their networks equally as opposed to allowing some internet providers to providing better access to some websites that pay a fee to reach users faster. This would in turn mean that new websites that can’t afford expensive fees for better service will face new barriers to success, leaving users with fewer options and a less diverse internet.

Net Neutrality has a couple of stakeholders which include; Whether the Internet is neutral or not has serious implications for Internet service providers (ISPs), businesses operating online, governments, and civil society.

The Stakeholders against Net Neutrality which in this case would be the ISP’s argue that, as owners of the networks, they should be able to control and maintain their networks in any manner they wish. ISPs believe they should be able to recoup expensive investments in broadband networks by charging customers differently based on level of service and by seeking opportunities to obtain revenue from broadband intensive application, service, and content. Ultimately, the business model adopted by ISPs involves large investments in networks, and as a consequence, the case is made that the ISPs should have the right to make independent decisions about the direction of their industry without interference. Another counter argument ISPs present suggests that avoiding net neutrality would actually encourage competition and innovation. That is, innovation can take place on the network itself in the form of distributed content delivery, integrated voice/video/data platforms, and advanced quality of service.

A regular internet user, I am in favor of Net Neutrality, because it would eliminate fast lane type internet where the user would be relegated to a second-class information highway, with slower speeds, than favored customers (those willing to pay premiums or purchasing services directly from the ISP providing the bandwidth), or, facing higher costs for the things they buy as corporate customers pass on to their customers the extra costs of joining the “fast lane”