What is Net Neutrality?

• So-called “Net Neutrality,” or more aptly “Net Regulation,” is governmental regulation of the Internet. It creates new government mandates to regulate the Internet by limiting broadband companies’ ability to freely manage their networks, prevent congestion, and provide consumers with a safe, secure and reliable connection to the Internet. The Internet is the greatest deregulatory free-market success of our time, and there’s absolutely nothing “neutral” about the government dictating network management practices in the marketplace.

What are the implications of Net Neutrality legislation?

• Net Neutrality legislation, such as the recent Markey-Eshoo Bill (HR 3458), would impose sweeping governmental controls over the Internet.. This would limit consumer choice, inhibit innovation, deter investment in broadband services and the Internet generally, interfere with routine and widely-accepted network management practices, and stifle competition.

Why is network management so important?

• Network management is nothing new. It is an essential service practiced continually by network operators to ensure that consumers receive high-quality, reliable and safe broadband Internet experiences. Network management not only enables information to flow efficiently across networks, it is critical to the Internet reaching its full potential to solve pressing societal issues in the health care, education, and energy sectors. Network management is also a critical practice to our nation’s national security, as it allows network engineers to prevent and combat cyber security attacks on critical infrastructure.