Net Neutrality has ruled the Internet since its creation and it’s understood as “the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet“. In other words, it is about equal access to the Internet. Not only in the US, but in Europe, there has been a lot of activity regarding the intention of telecommunications companies (carriers) to take control over the content that is transmitted through their networks.
Companies that have made their way based on Net Neutrality -such as Google, Amazon or e-Bay- are against this intention, and have joined with others to conform the Open Internet Coalition with the aim to protect an open Internet where everyone can access what they want when they want.
Artists such as Moby and REM have also joined the cause through Save the Internet, another coalition that has the same purpose of maintaining the freedom over the Internet.
Nowadays, the issue is not only discussed in the US. According to BusinessWeek, in Europe “Sweeping new telecom rules in the European Parliament could permit differing classes of service on the Internet—but Google and others are fighting back “.
As time passes by the threat is being widely discussed and content is also distributed to explain the complete issue:
For more information:
http://www.google.com/help/netneutrality.html
http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://www.openinternetcoalition.com/
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2009/gb20090327_025568.htm?chan=globalbiz_europe+index+page_top+stories