Ask HN: What are the strongest arguments *against* Net Neutrality? Proponents of Net Neutrality: What do your best and strongest critics say and where are they mistaken? Opponents of Net Neutrality: What are the best and strongest arguments against Net Neutrality. |
I do not want to pay the same rate when I'm downloading system updates or uploading a backup vs when I stream real-time video chat or work via remote desktop. In one case latency is irrelevant while in the other it's everything. It's important for ISPs to differentiate these bits and prioritize them accordingly.
Net Neutrality also raises the barrier to entry for new ISPs, which solidifies existing monopolies. A new mobile ISP that lacks the infrastructure to support video streaming won't be allowed to enter the market as they're obligated to serve the entire internet.
Cable providers won't have any incentive to offer channels over the internet as their users will have to pay extra (for the internet bandwidth it uses) when there used to be no limit (on cable). ISPs will likely have to invest in unregulated side-channels for distributing their content, increasing technology fragmentation.
You don't (and hopefully should never) pay by the bit. The marginal cost of sending bits (any bit) is 0; the ISPs know this but would love to resurrect the SMS gravy train of charging for things that are free. Any packet inspection necessary to provide a non NN internet is only going to increase latency not lead to any measurable improvement to quality at the consumer end.