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save-net-neutrality

How often do you find yourself in a loop of YouTube videos that you never stop watching one after the other?  There is a good chance you find yourself awake at 5 am in morning and think you have to go to work the next day. Happens to everyone!!

However, this past week when I was going across YouTube videos conundrum, I managed to stumble upon John Oliver’s video bashing the FCC over the Net Neutrality repeal plan.

It was funny at first how he managed to mock FCC on a website www.gofccyourself.com, but thinking about the Net Neutrality repeal plan, I bet most people wouldn’t dare to laugh now that it has been repealed across the United States.

And they’ve done it!

You might want to worry about FCC repealing Net Neutrality later, but what’s more important for you is to understand what ‘Net Neutrality’ is.

What is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality’s basic principle focuses on treating all the data on the internet in the same manner, and not discriminating it with respect to user, content, application, web page, or any other online communication tool.

With Net Neutrality, the Internet Service Provider (ISPs) are unable to block websites, form internet congestion, slow down or throttle your internet, or charge extra money for visiting certain websites.

Net-Neutrality-without-discrimination

Net Neutrality is the reason why you are able to watch any source you want and whenever you want it. If you prefer listening to Fox News or watch a show on Netflix, the website will load at the same speed it loads for any other website.

If it weren’t for Net Neutrality, ISPs such as WAN IP Comcast would be charging an additional amount of money for visiting sites like HBO, Netflix, or Hulu.

ISPs could both slow down your internet speed and block websites that cause unwanted traffic. Net Neutrality is the only principle that has made the internet success and that’s why it is important to save it.

Net-Neutrality-Repeal-Plan

Here is a quick look at the internet without Net Neutrality where an additional amount is charged as an unblock fee to visit a website.

How Does Net Neutrality Works

To understand Net Neutrality, you must have a complete understanding of how the Internet works. Information that travels across the internet, be it a web page or video, they travel in the form of ‘packets’.

Packets are tiny pieces of information that complete a message. Routers, also known as specialized computers, are responsible to transfer these packets from their source to their destination. When they arrive at their destination, they are assembled in their original order.

Now, the basic principle of Net Neutrality emphasizes that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must treat every packet in the same manner. These packets must never be transmitted on the basis of their source, destination, meaning, or application.

For example, Comcast is the biggest ISP in the United States. It merged with NBC, which is a competitor of Netflix. If we do not save Net Neutrality, Comcast can easily overthrow Netflix by slowing down the packets of Netflix users.

How-Does-Net-Neutrality-Works

In fact, without Net Neutrality, Comcast will have the power to shut down Netflix altogether. Comcast could also charge an additional fee for Netflix users to visit their desired website. Either way, Comcast will benefit extraordinarily.

In the absence of Net Neutrality, cable providers will have complete authority to either restrict you from visiting certain channels and websites, or they could charge more from its users to watch premium channels such as HBO, Hulu, or Netflix.

Net Neutrality is the only hurdle that ISPs wouldn’t dare to pass, but now that they have, it creates a completely different scenario.

Internet without Net Neutrality will only reward companies that are best in making the most attractive deals, or the companies that are willing to spend the most money.

It wouldn’t reward websites that are known for innovation or offer the best services because this wouldn’t be a distinguishing criterion. Hence, saving net neutrality has never been so important.

How Net Neutrality Affects You?

On November 21, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission announced its plan to dismantle regulations that support equal access to the internet. The FCC made it clear that it wants to pave way for users to gain access to certain content at an additional cost and to block some websites if need be.

Now that Net Neutrality has been repealed, it raises two questions. Whom would you trust after the Net Neutrality repeal is implemented?

Net Neutrality Backdrop

In 2015, when the Obama administration controlled the FCC and passed Net Neutrality rules. The goal was to pave way for high-speed internet for modern communication, information, and entertainment.

As a result, the FCC started regulating the broadband service and a greater role was entrusted to FCC so as to make the internet equivalent to electricity and telephone. It was pretty evident that Comcast and AT&T didn’t like the idea to be regulated by the FCC and unnecessary government meddling.

They further emphasized that certain types of regulations would only reduce incentives for ISPs to invest and improve their service. ISPs regarded that these regulations would result in the worst service on their part in the long run.

Net Neutrality Repealed: What Happens Next?

The major concern that we might face with the internet is the pay-to-play technology with two tiers. The first tier is the one that will have speedy internet service, while the second tier will have slow service.

It is obvious, to say the least, that the big media companies and the affluent households will fall into the speedy lane of the internet. For everyone else, a slow lane will be advised.

Companies such as Netflix, Facebook, Google, and similar others would have no problem paying a higher rent. Analysts believe that it may limit their profits, but only a marginal impact on their business activities.

The major reason why these companies have been so successful on the internet is because of their minimal service and product fee. The absence of Net Neutrality will prompt prices to rise, and according to analysts, these companies will have a hard time surviving.

Higher prices will further prevent the rise of start-up companies and therefore innovation will once again become scarce. For more than a decade, the internet has been a successful ground for small and medium enterprises to compete with large organizations. Therefore, if we don’t save Net Neutrality, it would only cause problems for newcomers.

In their defense, the FCC and the broadband companies claim that the freedom to charge different price tags for different products and services will make the market healthy. They certainly believe that ‘price discrimination’ will promote innovation and efficiency in the market.

Is There Someone You Can Trust?

Net Neutrality repeal is a backlash against government regulations and that has been the concise summary of the Trump administration. Tim Wu, who coined the term ‘Net Neutrality’ believes that the repeal plan will not only roll back the decisions made in the Obama administration to save Net Neutrality, but it goes further beyond that.

The repeal plan will give power to the broadband services to block media content, which is something that relates to banning your freedom. The idea of blocking content and web pages on the internet is very shocking according to Tim Wu.

Despite these arguments in whom would you put your trust, internet companies such as Charter and AT&T have claimed that they continue to adhere to Net Neutrality rules even if they had powers to throttle, block, or otherwise interfere with consumers’ online activity.

However, this claim by the internet companies is a weaker proposition because in some regional and rural areas it is hard to find more than one internet provider. No competition within the internet providers will certainly undermine the theory of the free-market argument.

Other experts believe that it will be larger bills and not content blocking will be the most common problem. If big companies pay their carriers a large sum of money, then eventually it will trickle down to the households who get to bear the burden. So, as far as trusting anyone, it may seem internet users run out of choices.

Why do you need to Save Net Neutrality?

We outlined 10 reasons that will give you a fair idea of why you need to save Net Neutrality. It will further expand your scope of Net Neutrality, and how it impacts the internet freedom of users.

Zero Discrimination

The concept of Net Neutrality revolves around treating all types of content equally. This principle has remained a building block for internet freedom and has upheld the rights of internet users. Dismantling this principle affects the entire internet.

If there hadn’t been zero discrimination due to Net Neutrality, the Internet Access Providers would have taken over the internet and pronounced themselves as its gatekeepers. If we don’t save Net Neutrality, it will give IAPs the power to decide what we can read, view, or communicate over the internet.

Freedom of Expression

Creative expression has always been the basis of Net Neutrality if we see the history of the internet over the years.

If we allow broadband carriers to control what people do on the internet would undermine the basic principle of what has made the internet a success today – Vint Cerf (Founding Father of the Internet)

The stance for online freedom of expression is clear as it does not depend on financial and social status. Every individual has the right to publish content and to express their opinions.

When someone shares their experience or reveals any information online, it is often referred to as web 2.0. This means, all the business communities and individuals can create content that could be accessible to everyone.

Article 19.2 of the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) seeks to encourage the freedom to send, receive, and seek information online. In other words, a vibrant digital environment is necessary where ideas can be exchanged.

Online Privacy

Any steps taken to undermine Net Neutrality will have a direct impact on every internet user. In the case of a non-neutral internet, internet providers will be able to monitor our communication and would easily differentiate between streaming, messaging, peer-to-peer (P2P), emails, and so forth.

European access providers have been using Deep Packet Inspection for commercial benefits. They could reuse this technology to help the government for intelligence purposes. Similar privacy problems may follow if we do not save Net Neutrality, as ISPs can have complete control over users’ activities.

Easy Access to Information

Today, we can access informational websites such as Wikipedia and other user-generated content. This is because Net Neutrality creates a catalyst where diverse and abundant information could be created.

Access to easy information could be scarce if the world doesn’t save Net Neutrality. To sum things up, we will have an internet divided in two tiers. The first tier will belong to users who can pay to access the information, while the second tier would belong to someone who could deliver content faster than other users.

Democratic Process

When we speak of democracy, we intend to imply that all voices are treated equally. The same democratic process is the reason why internet remains an open forum, and Net Neutrality helps achieve internet democracy.

Net Neutrality further ensures that the ability to voice opinions would not depend upon the financial capacity or the social status of an individual. Saving Net Neutrality makes diverse ideas expressed, therefore making it a powerful tool.

No Censorship

If Net Neutrality didn’t exist, network operators would have all the powers to not only throttle or block services, but they could also block content. The free flow of information on the internet for the last decade has caused revolutions and greater social reforms.

Greater transparency keeps everyone in check, and therefore allows free flow of information over the internet. Net Neutrality makes sure it remains the way it is.

Consumer Choice

With freedom of expression and access to content, Net Neutrality enhances consumers’ choice and makes it possible for different players to enter the marketplace. This is the reason why information on the internet keeps growing which leads to cultural interaction and expressing many ideas.

If we don’t save Net Neutrality, it would become a haven for access providers where they could prioritize their services that limits consumer choice. A ‘walled garden’ where consumers would never be the point of attention, but the only focus would remain on commercial benefits.

Innovation and Competition

Net Neutrality makes social media a perfect platform for small and medium business entrepreneurs. For a relatively lower cost, these businesses can target the entire online audience and contribute to strengthening the country’s economy.

Innovation-and-Competition

Without Net Neutrality, large corporations would otherwise have a competitive edge over small and medium enterprises. A new start-up company without a neutral net would fail to reach the target audience. Even if it reaches the audience, it would be hard to pay a hefty amount to the providers.

Digital Single Market

Net Neutrality is the reason behind the completion of the Digital Single Market. It attempts to remove barriers and allows internet users to communicate freely, share information, and participate in public debate.

Just like the Single Market concept of the European Union, Single Digital Market lies in the same field where access of information is made easy. A non-neutral internet is a potential threat to Digital Single Market, and this has been acknowledged by the European Parliament.

In October 2012, the European Parliament proposed legislation to ensure Net Neutrality and safeguard Digital Single Market.

Protecting a Global Internet

Western Governments are tempted to use the help of access providers for restricting certain types of traffic. These tools monitor the internet and access providers help the government to enforce the law.

In China, the concept of ‘Chinternet’, while in Iran the concept of ‘Halal Internet’ prevails. These two countries including some of the Western nations control the internet in their respective countries.

Net Neutrality is something that helps protect the global internet, which is next to nonexistent in these regions. If we don’t fight to save Net Neutrality, our country could follow similar footsteps.

Why is Net Neutrality Violated?

Net-Neutrality-Violation

Even though Net Neutrality offers internet freedom, there are 3 major reasons that will brief you why it doesn’t appeal to some stakeholders. The reasons are underlined below:

For Optimizing Profits

There is a commercial benefit attached to some internet access providers when they block or slow down the internet traffic. Internet Access Providers (IAP) provide access to the internet to individuals and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

IAP is in total control of the internet connection and has increasingly started providing content, services, and applications to further increase their authority. This power would one day lead them to become the ‘gatekeepers’ of the internet.

A recent example of IAP demonstrating power could be seen in the Netherlands. Dutch telecoms access provider, KPN started its own text-messaging services, while blocking all the free web-based chat services.

Another prominent example comes from T-Mobile which gives a perfect scenario of discrimination in the industry. T-Mobile blocked the internet telephony services offered by Skype in order to promote their own business and the business of their partners.

For Privatized Censorship

IAP companies sometimes misuse their powers by blocking unwanted content on the internet. For example, in May 2012 UK mobile networks accidentally blocked a website that educates users about anti-violence, called Conciliation Resources. Later, it was found that the website was blocked by child protection filters.

You will find another notable example of Virgin Media that provides access to the internet with the help of using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Information on the internet is sent and received in the form of ‘Packets’. DPI looks into the packet contents.

Virgin Media is using DPI technology to police their network and protect its music business. Any unwanted content that a telecom company chooses to block from their network and preventing users to access those content has now become possible.

To Comply with the Law

There is increasing pressure from Governments to limit certain types of traffic, filtering of the data, and monitor the internet to enforce the law. Countries that have increased censoring and filtering of the internet have grown from 4 to over 40 countries in the last decade.

In Europe alone, countries like the UK, Belgium, France, and Ireland have introduced website blocking. The reasons why these reforms are being made is to protect national gambling policies and ineffective measures to protect copyrights.

It is ironic how politicians call to save Net Neutrality, while at the same time developing strategies for filtering and blocking of internet content. This is something to think about!

Net Neutrality around the World

There is always something happening around the world regarding Net Neutrality. It is the central point of debate amongst internet users even though they’re not quite sure what Net Neutrality offers. View below for updates on what’s happening on Net Neutrality around the world:

Net-Neutrality-World-Map

Find out if your country has Net Neutrality protections.

United States

Net neutrality has been an issue that has surrounded the country since the 1990s and is widely considered a hot debate amongst Internet access providers and network users. Under the Obama administration in 2015, the FCC, a government agency that regulates interstate communications classified broadband as a ‘Title II’ communication service. This means that providers will be regarded as ‘common carriers’ and not ‘information providers’.

Before 2015, there was never legal protection given to Net Neutrality in the US. Everything went normally until the Trump administration came through and appointed Ajit Pai as the head of FCC in April 2017.

Ajit Pai proposed to completely dismantle the concept of Net Neutrality and is now awaiting votes from the commission. It was revealed on November 21, 2017, that voting will be held by the FCC members on December 14, 2017, on whether the Net Neutrality policy is repealed.

European Union

If Net Neutrality has so much to offer to its internet users, one must know what is being done for its protection. In 2009, the European legislators decided not to protect and provide a legal safeguard for Net Neutrality in the Telecoms Package.

This package included network users to run services and applications of their choice, while the content could be accessed in a fair and non-discriminatory condition. However, this package was rejected.

In 2010, Neelie Kroes was elected as European Commissioner and she discussed Net Neutrality being a central issue in her agenda. However, she never showed actual commitment to her agenda, and a neutral net was never ensured in Europe.

In 2011, it was warned by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) that violating Net Neutrality will have serious implications on the online privacy and data protection of users. EDPS further showed concerns regarding the tools that were used by ISPs, which reveals the online activity of users including the websites visited, file download, and emails received and sent.

In 2012, after six public consultations when Neelie Kroes took office, the European Parliament decided to demand the Commission to propose legislation that could ensure Net Neutrality.

Since then, it passed legislation to save Net Neutrality and was implemented on April 30, 2016. This was a major achievement for Digital Single Market.

The Rest of the World

When you’re living outside the US, you might think that the Trump administration hasn’t done much to keep the country out of turmoil, but has led the country into destruction. Let’s take, for example, the withdrawal of US from Paris Climate Accord, flawed relationship with Cuba after Obama had neutralized the relationship, and of course the threat to end the Iran Nuclear deal.

If the US isn’t leading, this doesn’t mean other countries are not following. Many countries look upon the US for guidance. We are not talking about countries that are developed and modern, but the countries that consider American culture as their guiding light.

Countries that are still in the development phase and look to the US for guidance are deeply misled by the United States. Some countries may not follow the healthcare system or the legal system that governs the country, but internet regulation is something every country is capable to achieve.

A country such as India considers the US as its role model. India is now formulating their own approach towards Net Neutrality and can be deemed as someone who can follow the footsteps of the US. Soon their citizens will be required to secure online privacy with a VPN in India.

However, seeing the population of the country and the rapid growth of people getting online will have something to think about. Therefore, to save Net Neutrality, people from overall the world will have to join forces and fight this battle.

Myths and Rumors about Net Neutrality

We hear contrasting news about Net Neutrality and that’s what keeps us uninterested in the Net Neutrality debate, which is taking place around the world. We try to clarify all the myths and rumors about Net Neutrality so you have an easy time understanding the concept.

Myths-and-Rumors-on-Net-Neutrality

Myth 1: Bad for Infrastructure Development

Content and applications are the reason why consumers are willing to pay Internet Access Providers. This has also been empirically proven by the PLUM study, therefore the claim made by Internet access providers that content and application is a free ride is entirely baseless.

The availability of content and applications encourage users for broadband investment. This also makes Internet access providers dependent on the demand for web content and applications. Hence, we perceive that Net Neutrality is good for the development of infrastructure.

Further, if consumers demand high-bandwidth applications for streaming movies and music, this will create demand for faster internet connections, thus more revenues for access providers.

Myth 2: Causes Problems for Internet Quality

Often there is news circulating that legislation that protects or saves Net Neutrality prevents Internet Access Providers to manage the network effectively. As a result, they claim that Net Neutrality causes problems in the quality of the internet. However, that is not the case.

The actual reason behind the decrease in the quality of the internet is the Transmission Control Protocol which presents at the core of the internet. It is a network management tool that has made the internet success.

Net Neutrality has nothing to do with the quality of internet, rather it is responsible for preventing arbitrary restrictions that are implemented by Internet access providers to undermine the openness of the internet.

Myth 3: Premium Applications and Content Promotes Broadband Investment

Time and again, Internet access providers have shown their desire to charge users for content and applications. Since they already know, users are already paying Internet access providers to access content and applications.

Internet access provider further argues that the investment it will collect from end users will benefit the next generations. This is a dangerous proposition as there is no guarantee that Internet access providers will use the additional revenues for investment.

On the contrary, Internet access providers might encourage the use of premium services by decreasing the quality of internet so that the adoption of expensive services is accessible by end users.

Myth 4: Customers can ‘Vote with their feet’

European Commission has made it abundantly clear that anyone who has restricted access, whether in terms of blocked websites or services, can switch their company to anyone that offers ‘full internet’.

However, ‘voting with one’s feet’ isn’t applicable in most cases, and certainly not in the internet industry. If a web service is blocked in many countries by the Internet access providers, you cannot do anything about it.

If Internet access providers have taken your freedom away to conduct business by blocking your web service, there is nothing you can do that will help by switching providers. On the other hand, end-users might consider a restricted, slow, and low-quality lane, or they might take a faster route with comparatively fewer destinations.

Myth 5: No Regulation is Needed, Market decides what Happens Next

Net Neutrality helps in developing a competition which is necessary for creating a healthy market. However, competition does not prevent Internet access providers to adopt non-neutral practices. You require a regulatory framework to keep everything in check.

It is evident that Internet access provider now and gain temper with end users’ ability to access the internet. If the industry relies solely on market forces, then soon there will be a multiple-tier internet, which is a dangerous proposition.

Myth 6: Net Neutrality is Harming Innovation

This is a false dilemma because the reality is quite the opposite. Net Neutrality has given small, medium, and large enterprises equal opportunity to compete in a diverse market. Failure to enact Net Neutrality will cause barriers for small and medium enterprises.

New start-ups will face market barriers and will further undermine the freedom of content providers to do business with ease. Thus, it will lead to restriction to innovation as there would be limited competition. Hence, it is critical to saving Net Neutrality, so that innovation can prosper.

Myth 7: Net Neutrality is a Big Problem in the US, not in Europe

In the US alone, there are abundant examples where Internet Service Providers have tempered the accessibility of end users to use the internet. However, Europe is not far behind the US in this regard.

The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) revealed its findings that European operators to restrict access to the internet (P2P sites). These findings are backed by the evidence collected by Glasnost and Respect My Net, that indeed these violations are taking place in Europe.

Net Neutrality Case Study

The Case of KPN in the Netherlands

It was in 2011 that KPN (former Dutch telecoms monopolist) made strategies to make its users pay extra for using certain applications i.e. Skype and WhatsApp. The decision was made in the light of commercial benefits received by KPN.

KPN had its own text messaging and phone call services that it could use for its own benefit. Further, KPN also revealed that it used Deep Packet Inspection tool to inspect which applications were used by its mobile internet users.

Almost a year later in 2012, Netherlands government identified a threat to Net Neutrality and adopted a legislation to save Net Neutrality. Since then, Netherlands became the first country in Europe, and the second country in the entire world to safeguard open and secure internet, and included Net Neutrality in its law.

This Case Study explains the possibility of drafting Net Neutrality legislation and to take the interest of internet users very seriously. Netherlands further ensured the freedom of expression for internet users, while at the same time taking into consideration the actions of telecommunications and ISPs.

There were three aspects of the legislation that are provided here under:

  • Maximum choice and traffic for end-users
  • Internet providers can restrict traffic only if it affects security or integrity
  • Internet access providers can block unwelcome commercials such as spam

Internet Nightmare in Portugal

Internet in Portugal is a nightmare where Net Neutrality is under threat. MEO, a telecommunication company is taking full advantage of the lack of Net Neutrality regulations and has been charging users for using social media websites and applications.

Net-Neutrality-MEO-Package

MEO doesn’t allow access to all social media websites even though the internet users are paying for the internet. MEO is an extreme example of restricting users’ internet access. However, it is not the first company to do it, American corporations have been doing it for several years and without notifying their users. Quartz provided a detailed analysis of Net Neutrality in Portugal. With only the best VPN in Portugal, you can unblock various websites in the country.

How Can Net Neutrality Prevail in the Near Future

We accumulated some of the key factors that could safeguard Net Neutrality in the near future. These are dark times, and the only way we could see light is through joining hands and fighting to save Net Neutrality despite all odds. Here is how you can protect Net Neutrality:

Keep the Internet Neutral

The open and free internet is a sole reason for the success of the internet thus far. Many efforts have been made by big companies such as Google and Facebook to provide free internet in rural areas. Charging additional fees for services will spoil all the struggles to offer free internet.

Internet without Restrictions

Free internet is not a complete solution that will safeguard Net Neutrality, but an internet without restriction is something that can be relied upon. Blocking of websites and restricting users in any way to view a certain web page is against internet freedom.

Preventing Discriminatory Traffic Management

Throttling of the internet and interfering in the online activity of internet users should be prohibited. This discriminatory traffic management should only be necessary if there is a real need for traffic management that requires attention.

Traffic management must be necessary and made legal only when there is actually a need for it, at times of network management problem. This should be the last resort for managing network problems.

Legal Clarity for Traffic Management

There must be a legal clarity that would define Internet access providers of what kind of traffic management rule should be implemented. For each circumstance, a traffic management rule should be legitimized. This would limit Internet providers with the abuse of power.

Indicate Minimum Bandwidth in Contracts

Internet Service Providers will need to indicate minimum bandwidth in their contracts so that consumers will identify if the particular bandwidth could be used for such applications i.e. Skype, WhatsApp, etc. Similarly, the quality of the internet connection must also be identified through tools also provided by the access providers.

The Use of DPI shall be Prohibited

The use of Deep Packet Inspection must be prohibited as it interferes in the online activity of internet users. However, circumstances must be described where this technology could be accessed, if in case of National Security.

A Creation of Government Entity

There must be an authority defined by the government that would keep the accountability of these violations. End-users can report violations to the particular authority whenever their online privacy is compromised. There must be an entity formed by the government that would enforce all the conditions.

Financial Sanctions

Financial sanctions must be awarded to any access providers that violate their authority in terms of throttling, blocking, interfering, and overpricing their services. No immediate action will only result in the increase of authority for internet providers.

Clear Set of Obligations for Access Providers

The obligation in part of Internet Access Providers and the broadband services must be set prior to the Net Neutrality repeal. Efforts of the broadband services must be analyzed in one hand and the specialized services provided to the internet users in one hand.

How to Save Net Neutrality

Net Neutrality policies are abandoned but it is yet to be implemented across the United States, which could be anytime soon. However, there are few things you could do to protect yourself from internet discrimination.

Net Neutrality is on the verge of disappearance despite the fact that it is outvoted by FCC members. The US government, ISPs, and all the big companies are in favor of ending Net Neutrality policies. Now, the question here arises, how can you save Net Neutrality despite its policies are dismantled?

To be clear, without Net Neutrality, the Internet access providers will throttle your internet speed, block certain websites, interfere with your online activity, and form internet congestion. To avoid all that and more, your require a Net Neutrality VPN.

To Unblock Content and Websites

Net Neutrality varies across the globe. In Asia and in certain parts of the Middle East, there are still restrictions on what internet users can see and what they cannot see. A Net Neutrality VPN will combat these restrictions by geo-shifting your IP location so you can unblock content.

A VPN Net Neutrality will connect you to a server of another country where Net Neutrality prevails. You can connect to a particular website and unblock the content of your desire.

Bypass Internet Congestion

When a plan to introduce fast and slow lanes on the internet is implemented, the traffic will surely pile up in the slow lane. The ability of a Net Neutrality VPN to geo-shift your IP location will help you get around internet congestion. However, it will not entirely eliminate congestion, but will surely gear-up some speed for your internet.

Avoid ISP Throttling

Another strategy that will be implemented by Internet Service Providers to de-rail Net Neutrality is to throttle certain types of content. You are trying to access a web page, but it won’t load fast enough.

However, when you try to access other web pages, it opens up fast enough. This means, your ISP is slowing down the speed of the web page that consumes a lot of bandwidth. This strategy often works well for streaming websites and the users are bound to pay more money to prevent throttling.

There is another way to get around ISP throttling and that includes getting a Net Neutrality VPN. With the help of a VPN, ISPs will never recognize your IP address as it provides complete anonymity to your IP address. As a result, you become invisible to your ISP, thus keeps you safe from throttling.

Can a VPN Get Around Net Neutrality Repeal?

Net Neutrality and VPN are the two cornerstones that could prevent the Internet from falling apart at the hands of Internet access providers. can allow internet users to get around all the restrictions that will be formed when Net Neutrality repeal is implemented.

Net Neutrality VPN will further unblock any content that has been blocked by your Internet Service Provider. It will limit internet congestion, prevent from ISP throttling, and certainly would help you connect to the entire world without any restrictions.

VPN Net Neutrality Reddit

Does using a VPN fix problems caused by losing net neutrality? from VPN

Internet users are curious to know what happens when Net Neutrality is gone. Is there a way around for Net Neutrality? Or does a VPN helps you prevent Net Neutrality repeal? Net Neutrality VPN is something that will protect you from all the restrictions that head your way.

If Net Neutrality fails will a VPN be able to get around paying for access packages? from VPN

Circumventing a website with a VPN will not a difficult task considering if certain websites are blocked. However, certain websites that will have a paid access will be impossible to circumvent through a VPN. For example, internet users will be able to access any website on the internet, but moving through a fast lane will be difficult to curtail.

How Does Net Neutrality Affect Kodi Users?

Net Neutrality does indeed affect Kodi users in many ways. Currently, Kodi users can stream free media content with the help of third-party Kodi add-ons. Kodi add-ons themselves fetch streaming links from websites. Hence, if we can’t save Net Neutrality, all the free streaming websites will be blocked.

As a result, Kodi users will not be able to stream free media content. However, there is always something you can do to prevent this from happening. A Kodi VPN will help you bypass restrictions and unblock websites from where third-party Kodi add-ons fetch streaming links.

Kodi users will need to connect to a Kodi VPN and change its server to any country except for the United States. No Kodi and streaming anything your heart desires. View our complete guide on how Net Neutrality is affecting Kodi users and in what ways you can enforce Net Neutrality.

What Should You Do to Stop Net Neutrality Repeal?

Social media always has the power to turn around things in favor of the people. A big portion of the United States wants to save Net Neutrality. They can contribute their part fighting for Net Neutrality by tweeting to senators of the United States government and showing their concerns regarding Net Neutrality repeal.

Here is the list of Twitter Handles for some of the US Senators. Reach out to them and show your concerns with a message and a Hashtag #SaveNetNeutrality.

S No. US State Senator Name Senator Twitter Handle
1 Alabama Richard Shelby https://twitter.com/SenShelby
2 Arizona John McCain https://twitter.com/SenJohnMcCain
3 California Dianne Feinstein https://twitter.com/SenFeinstein
4 Florida Bill Nelson https://twitter.com/SenBillNelson
5 Kansas Pat Roberts https://twitter.com/SenPatRoberts
6 Minnesota Al Franken https://twitter.com/SenFranken
7 New Jersey Bob Menendez https://twitter.com/SenatorMenendez
8 New York Chuck Schumer https://twitter.com/SenSchumer
9 Texas John Cornyn https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn
10 Washington Patty Murray https://twitter.com/PattyMurray

Non-Profit Organizations that Fights for Net Neutrality

FCC is trying to kill the internet and there is nothing we can do to stop them. Hold on! There is still something that we can do. Some non-profit organizations have taken the responsibility to stop the FCC from destroying the internet. You can contribute to their cause by donating on their websites and saving Net Neutrality.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

Electronic Frontier Foundation was founded in the year 1990 and has since then defended civil liberties in the digital world. EFF supports the privacy of internet users and their freedom of expression.

European Digital Rights (EDRi)

European Digital Rights (EDRi) believes that Information Technology has a strong impact on our society. In one way technology has given freedom to communicate, but in other ways, it has also imposed a restriction on our fundamental rights. EDRi fights against violations of digital rights.

Fight for the Future

Fight for the Future is spreading the word to expand the internet’s power of good. There is no doubt internet has played a pivotal role in transforming our lives. Fight for the Future believes it is our time to pay back the Internet with all that we have in support of Net Neutrality.

Protect Internet Freedom

Protect Internet Freedom most frequently speaks about internet surveillance and censorship, and how it has threatened our online privacy. It further speaks about the governance decisions and how they need to be carried out in a transparent manner.

VPN Providers’ Stance on Net Neutrality

VPN providers have a key role to play in saving Net Neutrality. Net neutrality VPN is the only tool that could help internet users to counter the new order introduced by the FCC.

Therefore, Net Neutrality guide would seem incomplete if the stance of VPN providers on Net Neutrality abandonment isn’t recorded. We asked various VPN providers 7 sets of questions to share their views on the FCC voting and the future of the internet without Net Neutrality.

ExpressVPN

If ISPs will have full authority over throttling the traffic, blocking any website, internet congestion, or charging extra money, how do you see the future of VPN in this regard?

We built ExpressVPN because we believe in free and open internet, and that’s why we support net neutrality and are against giving ISPs free rein to control what we do or see online. VPNs provide internet users with one tool to protect themselves against blocking and throttling, but we believe the fight to uphold net neutrality principles must still continue.

What if ISPs decides to block VPN providers’ websites, will it affect your market?

Yes, naturally a block of any business site will impact the business negatively.

Can a VPN be of any help when Net Neutrality is abandoned?

VPNs can help if ISPs block or throttle specific sites, but not if they prioritize or “zero-rate” them.

Say for example Comcast slows down Netflix traffic (because Comcast is a major shareholder of competitor Hulu). If you use a VPN, though, Comcast no longer knows when you’re connecting to Netflix as they can only see your connection to the VPN server, so it’s not able to slow down the Netflix traffic.

However, if Comcast prioritizes Hulu traffic over all other data or decides Hulu won’t count towards your data cap, then a VPN won’t help because even traffic to the VPN server will be in the “regular lanes” while Hulu traffic is in the “fast lane.”

This decision by the FCC was opposed by 83% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats. There’s broad, bipartisan consensus, so we’re optimistic that in the long term net neutrality will be restored – Team ExpressVPN

When Net Neutrality is implemented across the United States, do you see other countries (developed and developing) following its footstep?

The United States has always been a leader in business and technology, so this decision definitely sets a precedent that other countries may follow to undermine net neutrality. Furthermore, internet users globally use US services and consume US content from the US, so when internet companies in the US are negatively impacted by the loss of net neutrality, the effects will be felt globally.

Assuming FCC members voting against Net Neutrality, is there going to be a regulatory body that will control Internet Access Providers, or they’ll do anything they feel is right?

There will still be some regulatory oversight over ISPs, but now under Title I “information services” regulations instead of Title II “telecommunications services” regulations. What this means is the FCC will have drastically less regulatory power, and ISPs will largely be free to throttle, prioritize, filter, or otherwise shape internet traffic as they like. It also means that the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) now shares oversight power, specifically related to disclosure and antitrust, but the general consensus is that they do not have the will, expertise, or resources – and perhaps not even the legal authority – to prosecute ISPs for bad behavior.

How do you see the future of watching copyright material on the internet for free? Will there be any impact on streaming services whether it is Torrent websites or Kodi third-party add-ons?

This battle is a lot broader than specific sites or services. Any and all content can be subject to restrictions based on your ISP’s whims, and there will surely be an impact on how freely we can access content online in the future.

In general, how do you see the future of Net Neutrality?

Net neutrality is widely supported by virtually everyone but ISPs. This decision by the FCC was opposed by 83% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats. There’s broad, bipartisan consensus, so we’re optimistic that in the long term net neutrality will be restored. Of course, that still requires people to take action and demand that members of Congress support net neutrality legislation. We encourage everyone to visit https://www.battleforthenet.com/ to learn more.

PureVPN

If ISPs will have full authority over throttling the traffic, blocking any website, internet congestion, or charging extra money, how do you see the future of VPN in this regard?

The era of Net Neutrality kept the Internet open for all. Users could engage in public discussions freely without worrying about getting their discussions censored or their rights to free speech restricted. The Internet users could explore any website or application without worrying about ISP block. They could surf the Internet without needing to cough up extra money.

All these changes with the repeal which has now been passed. A virtual private network could quite possibly be the only viable solution left to keep using the Internet as in the days of Net Neutrality. A VPN lets users speak their mind in a completely anonymous manner, and without being afraid of being tracked or monitored. A VPN user can explore any website or application without worrying about any blocks.

Keeping all the advantages in mind that a VPN can provide, it seems that VPN is going to be the future of the Open Internet.

What if ISPs decides to block VPN providers’ websites, will it affect your market?

ISPs can decide to do that, but what will follow will not be containable for them, in terms of public backlash. However, what ISPs can do is block the protocol the VPNs operate on such as the PPTP protocol which is easy to block for ISPs. Fortunately, premium VPN services such as PureVPN Review multiple protocols. In fact, some protocols work on multiple ports such as the OpenVPN which ultimately makes it impossible for ISPs to block the protocol.

So, even if ISPs try to block VPN services or websites, they cannot affect the VPN market as such.

Can a VPN be of any help when Net Neutrality is abandoned?

Yes, a VPN can be of great help when the Net Neutrality rules are abandoned. A VPN provides gateway to a world whose foundations are built on Net Neutrality.

Using a VPN, you can stop an ISP from tracking your data. Other than safeguarding your data, this feature helps you avoid ISP speed throttling issues. Because the ISP won’t know whether you are streaming, downloading, or just browsing, it won’t be able to throttle your speed.

If in case ISPs decide to block particular websites or only allow partial access to those who pay more, a VPN can easily help you bypass these unnecessary restrictions. To access these websites, you can connect with servers from other parts of the world where these websites are accessible, and you can continue to surf the web with total freedom.

Considering these solutions, a VPN can definitely be of great help after the abandoning of the Net Neutrality rules.

When Net Neutrality is repealed across the United States, do you see other countries (developed and developing) following its footstep?

For other countries to repeal Net Neutrality, they’ll first have to implement it. Sadly, most countries around the world have no rules to safeguard the privacy of their users and guarantee that they surf the web with complete freedom.

Only some countries value the privacy and freedom of their people, and the United States was one of these countries. And now that the Net Neutrality rules have been repealed in the US, and with UK and Australia already passing laws restricting their people’s freedom, other countries may follow suit.

Keeping all the advantages in mind that a VPN can provide, it seems that VPN is going to be the future of the Open Internet. Team PureVPN

Assuming FCC members voting against Net Neutrality, is there going to be a regulatory body that will control Internet Access Providers, or they’ll do anything they feel is right?

Given the current circumstances, it seems that the voting to repeal Net Neutrality laws specifically takes control out of the hands of FCC and gives it to the telcos. This is why there has been such a strong uproar against this. People do not want their broadband to be controlled by an oligopoly.

At this point, it is important to keep in mind that the FCC voting against Net Neutrality was possible because of a) excessive lobbying of telcos along with FCC, b) excessive donations made by the telcos to the Congress, and c) President Trump wants a more controlled internet, and hence he appointed a like-minded man, Ajit Pai, as the chairperson of the FCC.

With all this knowledge, which is public information, it will be too naïve if we consider the possibility of another regulatory body to regulate the telcos. It doesn’t make sense that these giants would go through so much, all for the transfer of control from one entity to another. The telcos WANT to be in control here.

How do you see the future of watching copyright material on the internet for free? Will there be any impact on streaming services whether it is Torrent websites or Kodi third-party add-ons?

The future of streaming copyright material, without paying, is dark. Services like Kodi and torrents will fade away with time. People love these services because they provide quick access to their desired video content and users can download what they want in a matter of minutes, given the high download speeds.

Naturally, if an episode of your favorite TV show takes three days to download, you would hate your internet and yourself for liking the TV show as well. This will pave way for the exponential growth of paid streaming services. Everyone would ride on the bandwagon that leads to free streaming services. But when there would be none; people will have no option but to get premium subscriptions.

In general, how do you see the future of Net Neutrality?

The FCC’s decision to overthrow Net Neutrality rules without any proper replacement could lead to immense blowback. There are no laws ensuring that ISPs will not create an internet dominated by the highest bidders, which could lead to consumers paying more to gain access to the websites and services they want.

With the FCC is unwilling to take the first step and several pro-Net Neutrality groups and advocates planning to take up the matter to court, it’s highly probable that the future of Net Neutrality will be decided in Congress.

SaferVPN

If ISPs will have full authority over throttling the traffic, blocking any website, internet congestion, or charging extra money, how do you see the future of VPN in this regard?
We forecast that individual use of VPNs will rise sharply, as VPN servers offer unlimited bandwidth and zero throttling. VPNs will be used across a range of devices, as awareness will also increase due to the repeal of the USA’s Net Neutrality laws.

What if ISPs decides to block VPN providers’ websites, will it affect your market?
This scenario seems highly unlikely, as the repeal of Net Neutrality is not akin to, let’s say, China’s Great Firewall. However, if it did occur, it will definitely affect our market. But, like in many regions where online freedom in censured, there are ways to reach our customers.

Can a VPN be of any help when Net Neutrality is abandoned?
Of course. At SaferVPN, we believe that internet freedom is essential to our users without any constraints, so there are no bandwidth limits with SaferVPN plans. You can access any content you wish while uploading and downloading as much data as you want – without any further costs.

We forecast that individual use of VPNs will rise sharply 

Team SaferVPN

When Net Neutrality is repealed and it is implemented across the United States, do you see other countries (developed and developing) following its footsteps?
It’s likely, as the United States are the leaders in much economic and Internet progress, however, it would depend on each sovereign state and decisions made by those in power. Only time will tell – as well as the lawsuits threatening to hail down once the repeal is in place.

Assuming FCC members voting against Net Neutrality, is there going to be a regulatory body that will control Internet Access Providers, or they’ll do anything they feel is right?
At present there is nothing in place preventing ISPs from acting in their own interests, however, the number of legal challenges to be introduced by pro-neutrality groups will determine the final outcome.

How do you see the future of watching copyright material on the internet for free? Will there be any impact on streaming services whether it is Torrent websites or Kodi third-party add-ons?
Yes, there will probably be some impact on streaming services – and it would be within the discretion of each ISP – yet a VPN would certainly remedy this. While this may be uncharted waters, we’re hesitant to predict the downfall of Internet access just yet.

In general, how do you see the future of Net Neutrality?
It’s hard to say what difference the repeal will make if any. Nobody yet knows how the net-neutrality rollback will affect anyone – consumers, telcos, big tech, or start-ups. While we’re warned of widespread blocking and throttling, or pay-for-play fast lanes that might benefit big companies like Netflix and Google, ISPs are keenly aware of how hot the issue is, and will likely take no immediate action. Yet the one thing that can be said with confidence is that this is a dumb way to make policy.

Final Words to Save Net Neutrality

FCC members have voted against Net Neutrality on an FCC meeting held on December 14 2017. After the results, it is expected that Net Neutrality will disappear soon enough considering all the big companies and broadband service providers are in favor of Net Neutrality Repeal Plan.

After the new order’s effect, there will be an unimaginable chaos in the digital world that will never be repaired. Therefore, the need to save Net Neutrality has never been more important than before.