Net Neutrality Set To Vanish

By Brian Keaney · May 31, 2017 3 min read

Net Neutrality

Why an open Internet is under threat

Net neutrality keeps the Internet open by stopping ISPs from slowing or blocking rival content. Here’s why the FCC’s plan to repeal it matters — and what you can do about it.

1 What Net Neutrality Means

Net neutrality is a clumsy phrase used to describe a concept vital to an open Internet. Simply put, it means that giant corporations who own Internet delivery services—also known as Internet Service Providers or ISPs—should not be able to slow down or even choke off their competitors’ content. In other words, the free flow of all Internet content should not be restrained by a company’s desire or ability to do so.

2 The Plan to Repeal the Rules

The Obama administration agreed with this view and in 2015 put rules in place to sustain net neutrality. Now those rules are in jeopardy under the new administration.

Ajit Pai, formerly a lawyer for Verizon and now the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), wants to repeal net neutrality. This month he unveiled a plan to roll back current regulations, claiming that, “The more heavily you regulate something, the less of it you’re going to get.”

3 The Investment Argument — and the Pushback

This, in a nutshell, is the essence of the Trump administration’s argument against net neutrality: that the Obama-era regulations will discourage broadband investment. John Oliver, however, in his weekly HBO program “Last Week Tonight,” recently countered that argument by playing a Dec. 9, 2014 audio clip from Francis J. Shammo, Executive VP and CFO of Verizon.

I mean, to be real clear, I mean, this does not influence the way we invest. I mean, we’re going to invest in our networks and platforms, both in wireless and wireline Fios and where we need to. So nothing will influence that.

Speaking of the then-pending Obama FCC regulations, Shammo told Verizon’s investors with the words above.

More recently, Mark Stodden of Moody’s Investors Service, who analyzes such telecom companies as Verizon and AT&T, told the Associated Press, “From where we sit, the overall level of investment in the business is still pretty strong.” He added, “I hear companies complaining about net neutrality and Title II [the regulation the Obama administration used to implement net neutrality in 2015], but I think it’s a cop-out. I don’t think they’re actually spending less. They don’t like it, so they complain about it.”

4 Why ISPs Want It Gone

And why are they complaining? Because stifling competition is always the go-to move for big businesses. Less competition means more business, and if you’re strong enough to choke out nearly all your competition, so much the better. You don’t have to compete on price, quality, or service if you’re pretty much the only game in town.

Several high-profile ISPs, including Comcast and Charter Communications, took out a full-page ad which ran in several major newspapers this May, claiming that “we do not block, throttle or otherwise impair your online activity,” although Oliver’s segment on the subject showed that it has already happened. And on May 23, an open-Internet group called Fight for the Future reported that Comcast is threatening legal action against them, issuing a cease-and-desist order claiming the group’s website is infringing on Comcast’s trademark.

“If Ajit Pai’s plan is enacted, there would be nothing preventing Comcast from simply blocking sites like (ours) that are critical of their corporate policies,” said Even Greer, Fight for the Future’s campaign director.

5 What You Can Do

So the net-neutrality wars go on. Billshark will continue to keep you updated on this battle to maintain your unfettered access to everything you want to see on the Internet. Meanwhile, you can register a comment with the FCC, and contact your elected representatives to let them know what you think about this important issue.

Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts
Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is a concept vital to an open Internet. It means that the giant corporations who own Internet delivery services, known as Internet Service Providers or ISPs, should not be able to slow down or choke off their competitors' content. In short, the free flow of all Internet content should not be restrained by a company's desire or ability to do so.

Who wants to repeal net neutrality and why?

Ajit Pai, formerly a lawyer for Verizon and now head of the Federal Communications Commission, unveiled a plan to roll back the current rules. He claims that the more heavily you regulate something, the less of it you get. The broader argument is that the Obama-era regulations put in place in 2015 will discourage broadband investment.

Do the rules actually reduce broadband investment?

Critics say no. Verizon's CFO Francis Shammo told investors in 2014 that the pending regulations would not influence how the company invests. Mark Stodden of Moody's Investors Service said the overall level of investment is still pretty strong and called the complaints about Title II a cop-out, adding that companies are not actually spending less.

How could repealing net neutrality affect ISPs and websites?

Without the rules, ISPs would face fewer limits on blocking or throttling content. Comcast and Charter ran a full-page ad saying they do not block, throttle, or impair online activity, yet Comcast threatened legal action against the open-Internet group Fight for the Future. The group's director warned that nothing would prevent Comcast from blocking sites critical of its policies.

What can I do about net neutrality?

You can register a comment with the FCC and contact your elected representatives to let them know what you think about this important issue. Billshark will continue to keep you updated on the battle to maintain your unfettered access to everything you want to see on the Internet.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Estimate My Savings

Net Neutrality Set To Vanish page context

Net Neutrality Set To Vanish is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.

Net neutrality keeps the Internet open, but the FCC now wants to repeal it. See why ISPs push to end the rules and what you can do to fight back today.

Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.

Got a question about a bill you pay each month? This page can help you find the best answer. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Read each part of this page at your own pace. If you need more help, go on to a guide on your topic. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We put facts and tips in one place. This makes it easy to learn about the bills you pay at home. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page can help with real questions. You can learn about your plan, your account, and what you pay each month. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Use the menu and the links to go from a big question to the facts that fit your own needs. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We keep things short and clear so you can choose well. You can then read more if you want to. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

The links on this page help you weigh your choices. They also help you see what you pay and what to do next. You can save a lot over time.

Our goal is to help you spot the bills you pay each month. We also share smart ways to keep them low. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

Come back to this page when you have a new question. It will still be here to help with bills and savings. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

We link the small choices you make each day to the big picture. That means your budget and what you spend at home. We make it easy for you.

Each part of this page helps you see what you need. It may be help with a plan, your account, or a good read. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Use what you learn here to plan your questions. Look at your choices, then take the next step when you are ready. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

Our pages link to each other. That way, you can find more help and still keep track of what you came for. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page makes it easy to find the key facts first. Then you can pick a plan or make a change with less stress. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Good facts help you see why a bill went up. They also show you what to check before you call or reply. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page puts the key facts in one place. It can help you talk with a company about your bills and how to save. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

Our other pages explain the words you see on a bill. They also help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

Our tips focus on real choices you can make. Start with the basics, then read a more detailed guide if you need one. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

This page is one of many that we share. Together they cover home costs, the firms you pay, and how to get help. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

Take your time and read this page first. It helps you see your choices and find out what to read next. We make it easy for you. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

We set this page up so you can compare and keep reading. You will not need to hunt for what you want. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Monthly bills come with rules, terms, and fine print. This page helps you find the parts that count for you. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

Our pages give you a clear view of what you pay each month. You can then pick the plan or guide you want. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

Some of our guides cover the basics. Others go into detail on one company or one type of bill. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

It pays to read first and act later. This page links you to the next guide if you want to learn more. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We share guides that help you make sense of your bills. They show your choices and the best next step. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

Want more detail on a bill, a plan, or your account? Check this page against the links we share here. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

We group our pages by topic to keep things simple. This helps you stay on track as you read about your costs. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

A bit of background goes a long way. It helps you spot what counts before you check a bill, change a plan, or call us. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

This page is part of our help library. It gives you clear facts and links so you can keep on reading. We make it easy for you. We are here to help.

Your needs can change, so come back any time. Our other pages can help you look into a new cost or plan. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

We laid out this page to help you get the facts and compare them. You can then choose your next step with ease. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

Net neutrality keeps the Internet open by stopping ISPs from slowing or blocking rival content.

Net neutrality is a clumsy phrase used to describe a concept vital to an open Internet.

The Obama administration agreed with this view and in 2015 put rules in place to sustain net neutrality.

Ajit Pai, formerly a lawyer for Verizon and now the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), wants to repeal net neutrality.

This, in a nutshell, is the essence of the Trump administration’s argument against net neutrality: that the Obama-era regulations will discourage broadband investment.

Speaking of the then-pending Obama FCC regulations, Shammo told Verizon’s investors with the words above.

More recently.

And why are they complaining?.

Several high-profile ISPs.

So the net-neutrality wars go on.

Net neutrality is a concept vital to an open Internet.

Ajit Pai, formerly a lawyer for Verizon and now head of the Federal Communications Commission, unveiled a plan to roll back the current rules.

Critics say no.

Without the rules, ISPs would face fewer limits on blocking or throttling content.

You can register a comment with the FCC and contact your elected representatives to let them know what you think about this important issue.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 What Net Neutrality Means.

2 The Plan to Repeal the Rules.

3 The Investment Argument — and the Pushback.

4 Why ISPs Want It Gone.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is net neutrality?.

Who wants to repeal net neutrality and why?.

Do the rules actually reduce broadband investment?.

How could repealing net neutrality affect ISPs and websites?.

What can I do about net neutrality?.

3 Hidden Verizon Fees That May Surprise.

Protect Your Data: Why Online Privacy Costs More.

Telecom Lobbying Threatens Your Internet Privacy.

Why Verizon Is Losing Customers: Smart Solutions.

Net Neutrality's End: What It Means for Your Internet.

22 States Fight for Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom.

Boost Your Credit Score: Simple, Fast Strategies.

Who Needs Life Insurance?.

Affordable High-Speed Internet: Find the Best Deals & Save.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About.

All Negotiation Services.

Corporate / Business Billing.

Blog - All Categories.

Wireless 3 Hidden Verizon Fees That May Surprise You Carolyn Depoto · Nov 1, 2018 · 5 min read Read article.

Financial Security Protect Your Data: Why Online Privacy Costs More Brian Keaney · Jul 26, 2017 · 1 min read Read article.

News Telecom Lobbying Threatens Your Internet Privacy Steven McKean · May 8, 2017 · 3 min read Read article.

News Why Verizon Is Losing Customers: Smart Solutions Michel Mora · Apr 26, 2017 · 6 min read Read article.

Net Neutrality Set To Vanish

1 What Net Neutrality Means

2 The Plan to Repeal the Rules

3 The Investment Argument — and the Pushback

4 Why ISPs Want It Gone

5 What You Can Do

Frequently Asked Questions

What is net neutrality?

Who wants to repeal net neutrality and why?

Do the rules actually reduce broadband investment?

How could repealing net neutrality affect ISPs and websites?

What can I do about net neutrality?

Related Blog Posts

3 Hidden Verizon Fees That May Surprise You

Protect Your Data: Why Online Privacy Costs More

Telecom Lobbying Threatens Your Internet Privacy

Why Verizon Is Losing Customers: Smart Solutions

Net Neutrality's End: What It Means for Your Internet

22 States Fight for Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom

Boost Your Credit Score: Simple, Fast Strategies

Who Needs Life Insurance? A Simple Family Guide

Affordable High-Speed Internet: Find the Best Deals & Save

Save on the Bills You Just Read About

Net Neutrality Set To Vanish page context