JR Jackson - Net Neutrality

               Net Neutrality is the idea the Internet Service Providers (like as AT&T, Comcast, etc.) treat all traffic that goes through their networks the same. Proponents for net neutrality believe that preferential treatment to certain websites (like Netlifx or Apple) would result in arbitrary fees to companies in need of internet services. In addition, no net neutrality would put smaller companies at a disadvantage because companies with more capital would be able to pay the ‘unreasonable access fees’ while the smaller companies would be left in the dust. Obama was initially a strong supporter of net neutrality when he initially ran for president, but his administration has had a change of heart and have made proposals to let the FCC authorize ISPs to make deals with companies.

               In my opinion, I think the proponents of net neutrality are right in their assumption that a world without net neutrality could be devastating to the internet. Companies in their first few years face many challenges, and a world without net neutrality would at an additional cost that could cause many of them to go belly up. The arbitrary fees the ISPs could charge would discourage people from starting business and overallre innovation. The worldwide internet economy accounts for 4.1% of the GDP in the G20 countries. The internet sector gives so many opportunities for people around the world, and maintaining net neutrality will help ensure more opportunities to help the internet economy grow.