“I can see both sides to this. The potential for a provider charging you based on what “tier” of web access you want, (not speed, but actual sites you visit), is not appealing.”
You don’t want the opportunity to buy video from a content provider that pays extra so that your video can arrive pixel free? Or buy your telephone service over your existing broadband with 911 location services AND free of garble?
Do you want to force the people who invested trillions of dollars in fiber and high-speed switching a routing relegated to 8 cents on the dollar profit margin, while content providers make 100%, regulation free?
Do you know what you want from internet services?
“Do you know what you want from internet services?”
I bristle at the question. I’m not some entitled kid who grew up with a wireless network in my home. I’m an old schooler who started with a 2400 baud modem, and used gopher and archie before Mosaic came around.
I know exactly what I want. I’m a cheap son of a gun who wants the most I can get for the least amount out of my pocket. But my post wasn’t about me. It’s about what people have versus what they’re likely to get. Just as you can’t take Obamacare from people once you give it to them, (it’s still in place, isn’t it?), changing the rules for ISPs is dangerous.
This is the plugged in generation. People are constantly online in one way or another. If you’re telling me that giving freedom to Charter, Comcast and AT&T is going to lead to happiness across the land, we are not seeing the same thing.
Messing with the price, structure, and availability of internet access for people is going to cause FUD at first, and ultimately will cost at the ballot box.
As for me, meh, I’ll figure it out. As for the GOP, it could get bloody.
I have over 25 years in tech - mostly network engineering.
I see you fighting the good fight and I wish you luck.
Unfortunately, many people - some of them on this site - have blinders on when it comes to this and will refuse to listen even if you spell it out in crayon.
I got tired of trying to explain it and am hoping the “repeal” sticks for at least the next eight years so they can see how wrong they all were for themselves.