Net neutrality means that data is treated equally regardless of its source. For example, on a neutral net, whether I’m loading a page from the Wall Street Journal, the Huffington Post or from my library catalog, or streaming a movie from Netflix, the data will be allowed to flow at the same rate. On a neutral net, there is no fast or slow lane. Furthermore, customers don’t pay their Internet Service Provider (ISP) extra for data based on where it is coming from. For example, a customer wouldn’t pay AT&T extra to listen to Pandora on an iPhone.

On December 21, 2010, FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, announced new rules governing certain aspects of net neutrality. I believe that these rules, set to take effect in early 2011, are too vague to be effective and will ultimately safeguard ISP profits rather than safeguarding consumers and nonprofits.

~article excerpt~