It is rare for niche technology regulations to dominate headlines and garner the attention — let alone reaction — of millions. Yet broadband regulation continued to takeover technology and political headlines, even in the midst of a contentious political era.

So what does the status quo, set by Obama-era net neutrality rules, mean for the enterprise?

…

Net neutrality is a system in which consumers pay companies for unencumbered internet access —where broadband providers do not interfere with the “freewheeling” internet market, including content, applications and services, said Ryan Singel, founder of Contextly and fellow at Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society.

…

To simplify a complex series of interactions, Comcast decided Netflix could not continue accessing its network for streaming services without paying an access fee, said Singel. Netflix said “no,” its streaming quality plummeted for many months until the content provider finally agreed to pay the internet service provider (ISP).

…

Net neutrality proponents do not agree the FTC is better suited to police. “The FCC has always recognized the danger the ISPs pose to the freewheeling market of the internet generally,” said Singel, but “this FTC has not shown the concern the previous FCCs have shown about the previous history of ISPs interfering with free markets.”

…

This conversation, however, tends to focus on a small subset of broadband infrastructure — that which ISPs own — and not other forms such as content, applications and services, according to Singel.

“The FCC order, someone just doesn’t understand that outside of broadband ISPs there’s been huge innovation and investment in infrastructure, but that’s not something they talk about,” Singel said. “When they talk about infrastructure, they’re simply talking about Sprint, Comcast, AT&T.”

Read More