by Jessica Bosari

Created on: April 21, 2009

Net Neutrality is an issue affection anyone who wants to make money online, whether it be with a blog or through affiliate marketing. Net neutrality is the concept of a free and open internet, where everyone can compete fairly and get their content seen. It levels the playing field, letting the little fish compete on equal ground with the big fish. Small internet businesses can do battle against bigger companies just by using their wits and talents. Net neutrality is the key to small business success online.

Lobbies Against Net Neutrality

The large telecommunication companies in America, like Verizon, AT&T, Time Warner and Comcast, have been lobbying to leverage their power to force online business to pay a toll for fast web traffic. Those without the funds to pay to tolls will experience slower page loading, or no loading at all.

Information Superhighway Tolls

The idea is sort of like a toll highway. The large telecommunication companies figure they can collect a toll from online businesses to let them use the information superhighway. Business would have to pay for the level of speed they want traffic to travel into their site. With all the time and effort put towards making the internet faster, these companies actually want to slow it down for those not able or willing to pay a fee.

Protect the User Experience

Slower internet surfing would result in visitors clicking a link and having the page inaccessible or too slow. Most visitors will simply go to another site that will load faster. The user experience would be frustrated, trying to find a link that actually loads quickly. It will bring us back to the old days of dial up, sitting there tapping your fingers waiting for a page to load. Startups would have a hard time coming up with revenue to pay for fast traffic, resulting in stifled innovation and less vibrant competition.

Support Legislation

Current legislation known as "Internet Freedom Preservation Act 2008" (HR 5353) was introduced in February 2008. This law would ensure that Net Neutrality remains the norm in the online experience. The bill requires that the FCC monitor broadband and collect public comment on its policies with respect to keeping the internet open, competitive and affordable.

If you would like to help ensure the Internet remains neutral, call your Congress representative and tell him or her to endorse the Act. This can be done more easily by visiting SaveTheInternet.com. This site will also help you send a note to President Obama asking for his support of the bill.

Learn more about this author, Jessica Bosari.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.