Neutrality

net neutrality

(NETwork neutrality) A uniform playing field for Internet transport. Net neutrality is the absence of restrictions placed on the transmission of content by the major ISPs that provide service to millions of homes and offices. It means all packets are delivered on a first-come, first-served basis regardless from where they originated. Net neutrality became an issue as ISPs began to carry more movie streaming and voice traffic from competitors that delivered the same services they offered.

A Very Contentious Topic
Since its inception, the Internet has leveled the playing field for all participants. However, major ISPs such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast have lobbied the FCC to be able to charge a website based on traffic. Although it might seem reasonable to charge sites that disseminate huge amounts of content, Internet users already pay ISPs for access. In addition, proponents warn about the implications down the road if net neutrality were abandoned. For example, owners of all websites might be forced to pay extra fees to prevent their content from bogging down in a low-priority delivery queue.

The July 2010 issue of "The Hightower Lowdown" said: "Forget the technology, net neutrality is about democracy itself-- the latest battleground in our nation's historic struggle for freedom of speech, a free press, and the free flow of information that We the People must have if, in fact, we are to be self-governing."

The Rulings
In 2010, the Open Internet Order of the FCC ruled that carriers cannot block or interfere with traffic because it conflicts with their financial goals. However, in 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the order, stating that the FCC did not prove it had the legal authority to enforce such rules. Later in 2014, the FCC proposed allowing ISPs to create pay-to-play fast lanes; however, that was abandoned after a huge public outcry.

In February 2015, the FCC voted to regulate Internet service as a public utility. Based on certain provisions in Title II of the Communications Act, the new rules treated both wired and wireless Internet connections as a telecom service rather than an information service.

In 2017, the FCC gutted net neutrality, and a federal appeals court upheld the decision in 2019. However, the court allowed states to pass their own protections. As a result, at least 10 states and more than 100 cities have enacted rules that keep net neutrality in some form. For more information, visit www.freepress.net. See dumb network and Freedom to Connect.

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Neutrality

 

in international law the policy of nonparticipation in war and, during peacetime, nonalignment with military blocs. A neutral state has a right to inviolability of its territory, of citizens not involved in the military action of the combatants, and of property not classed as military contraband. A neutral state may defend its neutrality by force of arms (armed neutrality).

Neutrality during wartime applies to states not involved in the war after it begins. A country may make a special declaration of neutrality (but this is not compulsory). The rights and obligations of a neutral state during wartime are set forth in the Hague Conventions V and XIII of 1907 on the rights and obligations of neutral powers in case of land war and in case of maritime war. These documents prohibit any military action that could be considered as assistance to the combatants. According to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 a neutral country may act as a sponsor to help implement the conventions—that is, with the consent of the combatant parties it may send medical units to assist persons taken under the protection of the combatant states in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

A permanently neutral state is obligated to refrain from warfare (except in cases of self-defense) and, during peacetime, to conduct a peaceful foreign policy, not participate in military alliances and coalitions, and not conclude agreements that might involve it in war. Unlike states that have declared themselves neutral during a war, permanently neutral states are obligated to carry out an appropriate policy at all times, in war as well as in peace. Permanently neutral countries are Switzerland (since 1815) and Austria (since 1955). Permanent neutrality is called contractual if the states follow the appropriate policy on the basis of an international agreement. In the 1950’s to 1970’s the policy of positive (or constructive) neutrality followed by many independent developing states in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which reflects the peaceful trend of their foreign policy, has been very important. Such neutrality is often called neutralism, the policy of nonalignment with blocs, or active neutrality.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.