Case Study:
Net Neutrality vs. Traffic Shaping
Traffic shaping is the practice of managing data transfer to ensure a certain level of performance or QoS. Specifically, traffic is shaped by delaying the flow of less-important network traffic (e.g., bulk data transfers, P2P (peer-to-peer) file-sharing programs, BitTorrent traffic) and giving priority to more important data. Traffic shaping creates a two-tier system that is used for a number of purposes. Two purposes are: 1. Time-sensitive data may be given priority over traffic that can be delayed briefly with little-to-no adverse effect. 2. In a corporate environment, business-related traffic may be given priority over other traffic. Traffic shaping is hotly debated by those in favor of net neutrality. They want a one-tier system in which all Internet data packets are treated the same, regardless of their content, destination or source. In contrast, those who favor the two-tiered system argue that there have always been different levels of Internet service and that a two-tiered system would enable more freedom of choice and promote Internet-based commerce. Net Neutrality Debate The concept of net neutrality holds that Internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all sources of data equally. It has been the center of a debate over whether ISPs can give preferential treatment to content providers who pay for faster transmission, or to their own content, in effect creating a two-tier Web, and about whether they can block or impede content representing controversial points of view. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 2010 Decision On December 21, 2010, the FCC approved a compromise that created two classes of Internet access, one for fixed-line providers and the other for the wireless Net. In effect, the new rules are net semi-neutrality. They ban any outright blocking and any “unreasonable discrimination” of web sites or applications by fixed-line broadband providers. But the rules do not explicitly forbid “paid prioritization,” which would allow a company to pay an ISP for faster data transmission. Despite the FCC ruling, the debate over net neutrality continues.
Q1. What is net neutrality?
Q2. Why is net neutrality such a hotly debated issue?
Q3. Did the FCC’s ruling favor either side of the debate? Explain.
Your answer must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font (size 12), one-inch margins on all sides, APA format and also include references.