Goodbye Net Neutrality; Hello Competition
I don't think supporters of so-called "Net Neutrality" fully understand what such massive government regulation would mean. For starters, check out what percent of your cell phone bill is taxes. But that's actually the least of the problems such regulation causes.
In the short term, the shift by the FCC does not mean the immediate emergence of a free marketplace for Internet service. But it is a step. If we let this experiment in liberalization run a few years, we will see massive new entrants into the sector. As with every good or service provided by market forces, consumers will gain the benefit of innovation and falling prices.
Source: Goodbye Net Neutrality; Hello Competition - Foundation for Economic Education
I am worried about corporations co-opting the internet
Corporations want a profit. They don't have any other motive. Competition is the key because as long as there is competition, corporations can't afford to piss off their customers. Currently, most people have a few choices when it comes to internet access (cable provider, landline phone provider, cell phone providers, sometimes satellite or other service). With less regulation comes even more competition. One of the big reasons health care is so expensive is the lack of competition in the insurance and medical service fields created by government regulation. Corporations created the internet, particularly as it pertains to the modern publicly accessible internet. Government co-opting the internet would be much worse.
Besides, corporations haven't really coopted it so far and they've had since 1996 or so...
Yes, I agree. Competition is a good thing. Yes, it is Government co-opting the internet that terrifies me.