This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com
Today we’re taking a break from our normal preparedness articles to discuss a very important issue: the battle for net neutrality. You may have heard that Sept. 10, 2015 is Internet Slowdown day, when several companies who want to keep an open internet join together to urge Washington to preserve the internet. You will notice many sites will load very slowly – if you haven’t seen it, just click on my old site – https://apartmentprepper.wordpress.com No, I’m not trying to generate traffic for the old site – it is no longer maintained, just using it for illustration. The slow loading time will show you what will happen if cable and telecom companies get their way: the ability to regulate internet speeds for different users. Imagine if this happened to all your favorite sites on a daily basis.
What is net neutrality?
It is the idea that all broadband and cable providers must treat all internet traffic the same way. This is how the internet has been since the beginning and now the FCC is considering allowing big cable and broadband companies to choke up traffic and allow fast and slow lanes for different users.
What this means is, companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will be allowed to charge a company like Netflix and others for allowing access to their customers, resulting in fast loading times for certain users, and slow loading for us and everyone else. Of course, those huge telecom companies support this, and are lobbying heavily to get these rules to take effect.
The little guys like you and me will be stuck in the slow lane of internet usage and your favorite blogs and websites will be left in the dust.
Part of being prepared is being aware of what’s going on around you, and the implications to your own life. This is an important issue that will affect everyone who uses the internet.
Don’t let these companies force you into the slow lane of the internet. Fight for net neutrality — visit battleforthenet.com, and let your voice be heard.
