Net Neutrality

What Does Net Neutrality Mean?

Network neutrality (net neutrality) is a principle that asserts that governments and Internet service providers should not place restrictions on consumers’ access to networks participating in the Internet. In general, net neutrality prevents restrictions on content, platforms, sites and equipment, and modes of communication.

Network neutrality may also be known as Internet neutrality.

Techopedia Explains Net Neutrality

Network neutrality deals with the three things: limited discrimination, non-discrimination and limited timing. For example, if two or more users share the same subscription level, then it is possible for them to use the Internet at same level of access.

The following are the major concerns of network neutrality:

1. Non-Discrimination: Internet services should be provided all over the world without any discrimination. Anyone can post or develop their own blogs or website comments. Users can search for anything and search engines will show all available matches without any discrimination.
2. Content Diversity: A service provider cannot change the contents of a website according to its requirements.
3. Commercial Use: Network neutrality governs the rules and principles that are suitable for every business owner. There are no specific boundaries for commercial website and e-business owners.
4. IP Telephones: The IP telephone, which uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), allows anyone to make a call using a computer connected to the Internet. Voice chats, Skype and other chat services are the best example of VoIP. These should not be restricted.