Should The Government Regulate The Internet?

The internet is a network of computers linked by internet service providers that links edge providers to the end users (Friedlander 908). Throughout its lifetime, the regulatory aspects concerning the control and transportation of the data has been heavily debated. To some, the internet should remain in its current state being an open and equal internet, better known as net neutrality. However, others argue that internet regulations can be revised to be more efficient. This idea introduces the issue of trusting those in power of the broadband that connects users to the web suitably for all. The multifaceted debate in balancing the complex nature of the internet involves various methods defended by stakeholders such as government entities, internet

During his presidency, Obama released a statement regarding the framework for the future of the internet. He addresses the internet’s benefits to the country and how the regulations are just as important to maintain those benefits (Net Neutrality para. 4). In his message, he reminds the audience, “When I was a candidate for this office, I made clear my commitment to a free and open Internet, and my commitment remains as strong as ever” (para. 6). Upholding his commitment included four rules: no blocking, no throttling, increased transparency, and no paid prioritization (para. 8). These rules resonate closely with regulating the internet with net neutrality. Obama suggests the Federal Communications Commission recognize that broadband services of the internet should uphold the same obligations that any other service would. More specifically, he believes consumer broadband needs to be reclassified under the Title II of the Telecommunications Act with some exceptions to what is relevant to regulating the internet (para. 12). Essentially, Title II classifies broadband internet to provide the legal foundation of the Federal Communications Commission to impose rules like net neutrality (Berkman and Couts para. 8). He goes on to restate the impact of the internet on America’s economy as it is a grid that connects various pieces of technology to

Ryan Singel left his job at WIRED to follow his dream of creating a startup (Singel para. 2). He begins by explaining, “I truly am one of the lucky ones. I got a shot at starting something new because the cost of launching a new idea was extremely low. Future entrepreneurs should have the same chance I did” (Singel para. 3). Without preserving net neutrality rules and an open internet, Singel believes fewer startups will be noticed, which impacts the future of the country as a whole (para. 5). As previously mentioned, Ajit Pai promotes a renewed internet regulation that can allow prioritization that would allow companies to pay a higher price to have faster web speeds, which are also known as fast lanes (para. 8). Singel introduces various points made my Ajit Pai and then adds his thoughts from his standpoint surrounding his startup experience. In short, Pai explains that fast lanes will help startups in two primary ways: fast lanes can only be paid by services with special requirements, and recognized startup ideas will be funded by investors, which allows them to compete with incumbent websites (para. 10, 19). Firstly, Singel disagrees with Pai’s reasoning behind the policy in that speed on the internet is everything (para. 11). He adds that fast lanes would only make it more difficult more startups to compete as incumbents have the