On Net Neutrality

Why would anyone want to have the Internet to be not neutral? Unbelievably, nay, insanely huge profits.

The issue on net neutrality is about regulating accessibility to the Internet. Nowadays, when someone subscribes to the Internet, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide her with several plans to choose with prices varying depending on the speed. Whatever plan she chooses, she may access any website to her heart's desire. That is net neutrality.

Now, there are moves to remove net neutrality. The proponents want to provide Internet access depending not only on the speed but also on the number of websites a user can access. In simple analogy, think about subscribing cable TV. A person pays depending on the number of channels (translate this to websites).

Who are these people? Well, they are the corporations who spent billions of dollars on infrastructures in order to provide people with Internet. From the looks of it, they are cash strapped at the moment since they want to yield more profits from an already very profitable business. This has been a major issue now in the U.S.

I think our Congress should also investigate this matter. The Internet is, without a doubt, imbued with public interest. It ceased to be juris privati. Consequently, the ISPs cannot unilaterally alter the rules of Internet Access without violating public policy. After all, under the Constitution, it is declared as a policy of the State to recognize "the vital role of communication and information in nation-building" (Art. II, Sec. 24).