Net Neutrality Research Paper

5798 Words24 Pages
Net Neutrality Abstract Net neutrality has been a topic which has been heavily discussed since the beginning of 2006. Net neutrality has drawn the attention of many well known corporations, politicians, and lawmakers who are proponents and opponents of net neutrality. Net neutrality was a key issue in the 2008 Presidential election. Furthermore, net neutrality’s new rules imposed by the Federal Communications Commission have been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals. However, the issue of net neutrality is not limited to the United States, but to other countries as well. The goal of this paper is to discuss the legal, ethical, and international aspects of this topic, how marketers are dealing with net neutrality, and to conclude with…show more content…
Net neutrality is unfettered access to the Internet. Even though the concept of unrestricted access to Internet content sounds appealing, it has been a heated issue that has broadband providers, politicians, and regulatory agencies involved because of fear that the consumers will have to pay for access and speedy delivery of content. The first section of this paper begins with the history of the legal aspects of this issue. Net neutrality began garnering attention in December 2005 and in 2006 legislation was drafted and presented to both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Both houses did not approve the legislation brought to them. All of the proposed legislation is tantamount to the FCC’s net neutrality guidelines that were approved in December 2010. The guidelines have faced numerous lawsuits from broadband providers such as Comcast Corp. and Verizon Wireless who believe that the FCC has no authority to enforce net neutrality principles. The second section of this term paper discusses the international aspects of net neutrality and how it is affecting Mexico, the European Union, and Canada. The third section of this paper discusses the ethical dimensions of this case and how it is disconcerting to the education system of this country as well as the medical field. Finally, the conclusion discusses how net neutrality will affect marketers and the necessary steps they can take to…show more content…
Verizon told the FCC in December of 2009 that it does not charge for accidental Internet connection. However three senators from the Senate communications, technology, and Internet subcommittee sent a letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski to monitor Verizon’s billing practices. Verizon agreed to pay $25 million to settle these “mystery” data charges levied on affected consumers. In addition to reimbursing current and former customers, Verizon will offer data blocks to customers who do not want access to undesirable content, clearly explain its data plans, improve customer service training, and frequently report to the FCC on its business
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