G’day,
The US (United States of America) FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has just reversed Obama’s efforts to ensure that the internet remains a neutral platform for everyone - opening the door for US-based ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to create tiers of access levels - fast and slow lanes for data to travel between supplier and consumer depending on how much the supplier is willing to pay.
So, whereas at the moment essentially the only limitations on the speed at which data reaches your computer from whatever site/service you are connecting to are:
Provider’s server/s
Provider’s physical internet connection bandwidth
Up to 10,000’s miles of optic / copper cables
Consumer’s internet connection bandwidth
The new tier system would allow the ISP (?) to prioritise or even block some providers’ bandwidth, depending what the provider is willing to pay… ?
At least, that’s my limited understanding of the situation…?
Can anyone with a better understanding elaborate?
What are the pros and cons of this move?
I see that the ABC are indicating that this will flow on to Australia (and presumably as such the world) - which makes sense given that the Net transcends nations. Will Australia follow suit?
Cheers
cosmic