What if you had to pay to view your grandchildren’s photos on Facebook. Or shop for holiday gifts on Amazon or Ebay.
Now think of each website being bundled — like cable television channels — where you have to pay for access to several websites just to get the one you want.
With the elimination of one rule by the Federal Communications Commission, that may become a reality.
What is Net Neutrality?
The FCC on Thursday is expected to rescind an Obama-era rule calling for Net Neutrality, the principle that internet service should be open and accessible. The rule curbed discriminatory practices by internet service providers with “internet conduct rules.”
The rule explicitly bans blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization of internet services, lessening the ability of an internet service provider to favor a particular product or website.
Just as cable television providers package channels, the new rule would allow internet providers to sell access to websites in bundles.
The vote Thursday is expected to have a ripple effect from Washington D.C. to Williamsburg and beyond.
The change could limit access to websites of businesses and tourist attractions in Greater Williamsburg, unless a website owner is willing to pay extra money to an internet service provider to be part of a bundle, according to a report from Forbes.
Suzanne Jackson, a James City County resident, said the proposed rollback of Net Neutrality rules might make it tougher for her and her husband Jeff to stay online, especially if access to websites are sold in a cable-like bundle.
“I wouldn’t like it, but where we live in a monopoly, we can only get Cox,” Suzanne Jackson said. “Our hands are tied. We don’t even have cable because we don’t like that.”
(Steve Roberts, Jr./WYDaily)
What would happen if we lost Net Neutrality?
Customers aren’t happy with internet service and cable television providers, but eliminating Net Neutrality would put more power into the company’s hands.
In an area where Cox and Verizon dominate the internet market, rescinding Net Neutrality means those companies can choose what websites are available and how easily they can be accessed.
Customers pay a premium for Cox Communications services, despite the fact the company has some of the lowest customer satisfaction ratings in the telecommunications industry for both cable and internet, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
“That’s more money for them,” Jeff Jackson said of changes to Net Neutrality.
James City County has received more consumer complaints about internet and cable services provided by Cox Communications than it has about a tax increase.
“I wouldn’t like it, but where we live in a monopoly, we can only get Cox,” Suzanne Jackson said.
While Cox Communications is the primary internet service provider in the Historic Triangle, if Net Neutrality is eliminated it would put more power in the company’s hands.
In April, Cox Communications released a statement suggesting it was an advocate of a different sort of Net Neutrality.
“Cox has always been committed to providing an open Internet experience for our customers and reversing the classification of Internet services will not change our commitment,” their statement reads.
But in the past, the company has signed onto full-page media advertisements with an industry group noting the importance of an “open Internet experience.” Even the statement Cox has provided has changed, according to a report from the Consumerist.
(Check the FCC’s website for the Net Neutrality rule that passed in 2015)
Paying for Internet ‘cafeteria style‘
If the “Order to Restore Internet Freedom” is passed Thursday, the future of the internet could turn into a subscription-based service more akin to cable television.
Paperless billing for car insurance, banking information, or even pulling up menus for a local restaurant could cost extra money on computers and smartphones alike.
“It seems like it’s moving backward, I like the idea of having unlimited versus paying cafeteria style,” Suzanne Jackson said.
Students interviewed at the College of William and Mary said the proposed rollbacks could hurt their ability to do school work.
“As a student, it would limit my options for school work,” said Maedot Ohaneson, a 22-year-old student and Verizon subscriber. “It’s loss without any of the gains for the population.”
For Tim Chen, a 21-year-old student and Cox subscriber, the proposed rules could become an “inconvenience” to consumers.
“I don’t like the idea that providers can block access to whatever they choose,” Chen said. “There will be overarching effects if it starts to impact people’s daily lives.”
A Politico/Morning Consult Poll found 60 percent of Americans at least somewhat supported keeping Net Neutrality rules in place.
“I don’t like anything that’s going to people in a situation where we’re losing more of the option that the consumer should have,” Jeff Jackson said. “Like this whole monopoly thing, it’s been so frustrating.”
