Internet Neutrality - A Good Thing?
There seems to be a whole lot of talk all of a sudden about net neutrality recently, with editorials from both sides as well as grassroots websites on both sides. The basic debate is whether or not ISPs should give priority to certain packets of data getting to/from your computer, based on certain characteristics of the data (its source/destination
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I agree with your first point on the anti-neutrality side that things like streaming video and audio should be received in real time, but I am doubtful that not having neutrality would actually help. If you have a good internet connection, then you probably don't notice any problem with right now. If you don't have a good internet connection, then I don't really see how giving preferential treatment to some information would help that much.
As for your second point, not everyone would just "switch ISPs." The average customer probably doesn't understand what options they have. And I have not read anything that specifically said that everyone in every place had at least two options for a good internet connection.
It is also true that tiered services have worked in other places. The thing is though, that if whether or not you fly coach or first class, you are going to get to your destination. Whether or not you ship with FedEX or USPS, your mail is supposed to get to where you are sending it. But if your ISP is blocking you from getting to a site because the site's owner has not paid them, then you are basically screwed. (Unless you know someway to get around it like people do when the company they work for or the country they live in has a web filter.)
And I just don't know about your fourth point. I suppose it would be good for established businesses, but probably not so good for people who are trying to start a business.
Here is a discussion about it (most people falling on the pro-neutrality line) with a lot of links.
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