Repealing Net Neutrality and Bitcoin implications

As you have seen in the news, Net Neutrality has been repealed. Even after countless efforts to delay, stop, or sway the FCC nothing could stop or change the vote. If you haven’t caught up on this, feel free to scroll to the bottom to read some news articles about the repeal and efforts to stop it.

So what is Net Neutrality?

Short version: In 2015, the FCC set rules prohibiting internet providers from blocking websites or charging for “higher quality service” or “certain content”. Before the repeal, internet providers like Comcast and Spectrum were not allowed to prevent you from going to specific sites. These operators aren’t in an open market. Most people don’t have access to multiple internet providers.

So does that mean to me?

The picture below is an example of how internet could be structured. Instead of the $39.99 per month it could be broken down into specific sites.

Potential Internet Plans

What does that mean for Bitcoin?

Since this only affects the U.S., this won’t be a catastrophic hit to Bitcoin.

Death of Bitcoin? src: http://bit.ly/2CzgHuB

A lot of people believe that this could be the “Death of Bitcoin”. Although internet providers could potentially try to “block” people from accessing Bitcoin servers, it is highly unlikely. Even if it did, it would be hard to kill the blockchain. For example, there are satellite services that will continue to spread Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a peer to peer protocol. ISPs have had trouble in the past blocking a similar peer to peer protocol *cough* Bittorrent *cough*.

Remember:

• Bitcoin is a peer to peer protocol. ISPs have had trouble in the past blocking a similar peer to peer protocol *cough* Bittorrent *cough*.
• VPNs can be purchased to help hide traffic.
• If one internet provider successfully blocks it, consumers will potentially leave for a different internet provider (if they can).

So what are some potential outcomes?

1. It fails to pass Congress and the “repeal fails”.
2. VPN / Tunneling services may become the new norm to help “hide” websites.
3. Internet providers could sell “Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency” packages for a fee in order to gain access
4. Internet providers could have “vested” interests in one specific cryptocurrency, and block all others.
5. Lawmakers may try to make the “Last Mile” to be unbundled, allowing third party services to get in the heavy regulated space.
6. It could motivate Google to continue Google Fiber / Webpass / Project Loon.
7. It could motivate other companies that are pro Net Neutrality to team up and jump into the space.
8. My favorite scenario: Google will double down on TLS over DNS.

Why is Google’s TLS over DNS so critical?

The only way internet providers can “block” content is if they know what website you go to. Currently, this is done when you type a url into your browser (i.e. www.medium.com). The internet provider evaluates that url and finds the right place to send you. TLS over DNS hides that information from internet providers, effectively making it hard for internet providers to know what you visit. If they don’t know what you visit, they can’t block it.

DNS over TLS

In case you missed the news on Net Neutrality here are a few links to check out:

Now That Net Neutrality's Dead, Here Are The ISPs You Can Choose From

Republicans Just Sold Out the Internet. Now What?

The Trump Administration Just Voted To Repeal the US Government's Net Neutrality Rules - Slashdot

Net neutrality is dead: What happens now?

In case you missed all the efforts to delay/stop here are a few articles:

Netflix, Google and others voice frustration with net neutrality vote

FCC net neutrality vote halted due to security concerns

FCC's own chief technology officer warned about net neutrality repeal

How Major Web Sites Are Protesting the Repeal of Net Neutrality

Reddit changes homepage to support net neutrality