Reading the news today I noticed that Controversial new rules affecting the running of the internet are expected to be approved by US regulators today.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on a principle known as net neutrality; a tenet that ensures all web traffic is treated equally. You can read the full story here.
But this comes at a time when consumers are increasingly accessing the web on smart phones, tablets, netbooks and other iDevices that use Mobile networks and turning to the internet to watch TV shows, and the new rules would allow mobile firms to block access to sites or applications that specifically compete with a carrier's voice or video services. So using Skype or other VoIP applications could be blocked by the mobile network provider.
Quote
"This rule will endorse bad practices in the wireless space and I think we will see the flood gates open from the blocking of applications to the slowing down of competitors' apps to monetising every application that seeks to travel over their network"
Aparna Sridhar - Free Press
Also the bill includes a policy that will allow for what has been termed "paid-prioritisation", where companies will be able to pay for a faster service. This will inevitably lead to a class divide with large corporations able to afford to BUY speed, and leaving small & medium sized businesses and Consumers with a second class service.
Of course, if your network provider does start blocking access to sites or applications, you should be able to easily bypass such restrictions by using a personal or Company VPN Service.
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