What's Next For Net Neutrality?
Net Neutrality rules in the United States were repealed yesterday. Clearly the internet is no longer a thing and what you're reading now is a figment of your imagination.
Of course, nothing is going to move that quickly. But with widespread public disapproval and senators on both sides calling for senate intervention to reinstate these rules, what actually happens now?
I suspect nothing for the time being. ISPs should be fully aware of how tenuous this new deal is. If they immediately start implementing restrictions and fast lanes the public outcry will be impossible to contain. Midterm elections are next year and forcing their paid-off senators into an ugly position of supporting the repeal of net neutrality rules jeopardizes their ability to appeal to voters. They need those politicians to stay where they are.
As with any well managed underhanded business they have to first ease the public into complacency. So they don't make any changes for now. Those that are against net neutrality then get to say how well the ISPs are handling the lack of regulations, thereby "proving" that the regulations were never needed. This makes it more difficult for the house or senate to act to reinstate the rules.
The midterm elections come and go and then the ISPs can make their move. Instead of ensuring the regulations are reinstated due to ISPs making immediate changes they have a chance to throw money at the senators they want to win in the upcoming elections in order to stack congress in their favor. Whatever the outcome, with the elections over they can start implementing their fast lanes and their tiered services or whatever they decide they can get away with. This gives them a full two years before they have to worry about a new president or drastic changes to congress putting net neutrality back on the table. By that time a good portion of the public will probably have gotten complacent anyways.
So don't be surprised if everything stays business as usual for a few months. Follow the money and figure out who's funding your representatives. Make your voice heard and expect a drawn out fight.
I'm kind of hoping that they just keep trying to do it. It will backfire massively.
Me too, but the realization of how badly it would backfire made me realize that these are supposedly professionally run companies. They're not going to take the rifle and immediately shoot their eye out. If they do... it will be marvelous. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out when I've got a couple minutes.