FCC kills net neutrality! What it means for business
Net neutrality is a casual term used to refer to the Open Internet Order (OIO). The aim of the OIO was to ensure that ISPs enable access to all content and applications regardless of their source, without favoring or blocking a particular product or website.
The net neutrality laws were created as a preventative measure so that broadband providers cannot control how the content that flows over their network is delivered to the public. FCC voted on party lines to repel the OIO. The ruling, which is called Restoring Internet Freedom under the Federal Register, makes it clear that the internet is no longer considered a Title II common carrier, which means its regulation will fall under FTC and will no longer be under the purview of the FCC. For small business owners who are already competing against these online giants, there is naturally much trepidation and confusion surrounding this prospect. But according to the chairman of FCC, the repeal of net neutrality will only help consumers and promote competition among business.
Various opinions
Early reports of small business confidence surrounding net neutrality, like the Paychex Small Business Survey, underscores this fact with 44 percent of respondents stating they believe the repeal of the OIO will negatively affect business. A matching 44 percent said they are not sure how these changes in policy will affect business, and just 12 percent of business owners said they felt that the FCC’s move will be beneficial. Defenders of net neutrality lament the FCC’s decision, believing it will threaten free speech and competition by pushing certain content in the “fast lane”, banishing other content to the “slow lane” and blocking content at will. Meanwhile, supporters of the FCC’s decision believe a lighter-touch approach to regulation will make it easier for large companies to innovate and for small internet providers to expand their reach in rural and underserved communities. Only time will tell how businesses will adapt to what may become an even more competitive online landscape.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Entrepreneurship Cell NIT Raipur.
