A new set of rules guiding the Internet in the United States are expected to go into effect after a Federal Communications Commission vote this month. The commission is expected to to start regulating the Internet as a public utility.
Net neutrality is the term advocates use to promote a free and open Internet.
They are against the creation of a two-tiered system online — slow speeds or lanes for small companies, and faster speeds for rich ones who have more money to pay for it.
The FCC will vote on the net neutrality proposal later this month. The measure would ban broadband companies from discriminating between different content providers based on who can pay.
Deemable Tech Host Ray Hollister say that net neutrality levels the playing field on the Internet to allow competition. Hollister said without net neutrality the barrier to entry for small start-ups will be much greater. "Net neutrality says you can’t make a small company pay more for putting its content online," Hollister said.
FCC chairman Tom Wheeler has come out in support of net neutrality. The commission’s vote on the matter is set for February 26th.
To hear Melissa Ross' entire interview with Deemable Tech hosts Ray Hollister and Tom Braun listen to today's episode of First Coast Connect on our website or subscribe to the First Coast Connect podcast in iTunes.
