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“Net Neutrality” debate is being confused by the language and too many techno-idiots. The heart of the debate comes down to a solution that has been in place in private networks for many years called QOS, or Quality Of Service.

QOS a bit in each packet that designates the packet as time-sensitive because it’s part of a stream of data that needs to arrive in a steady pattern or the quality of the delivered stream degrades. Examples of QOS applications are streaming audio/video, VOIP (Voice calls) or Video conferencing. When a packet with the QOS flag reaches each of the many routers in its journey across the internet, ideally, those packets should be placed in high-priority queue and delivered in the quickest and most stable manor (stability is as important as priority to QOS), so the end receiver sees a steady datastream without “jitter”.

QOS does not slow down anyone’s traffic. It simply makes a “speed lane” for time sensitive packets. Its the only way for voice/video streams to work well. QOS is NOT about censorship, competition, or paying for faster internet. Opponents of VOIP or Video streaming technologies, join up with techno-phobes and run of the mill idiots or popularist-demigod politicians to oppose QOS. They even crafted the name of the debate “Net Neutrality” to confuse people.

Net Neutrality will (depending on the amendments added) ban the practice of QOS prioritizing of time-sensitive packets meaning your VOIP services will become nearly unusable at peak times, or that youtube stream will be much choppier. We’re talking thousandths of a second for individual packets people, not slow speeds for amazon book orders. This is a issue that is a great example why politicians should stay out of anything technical.

Bottom line is QOS IS NECESSARY for VOIP or Video/Audio streaming. Outlawing it, will make your internet experience WORSE, not better.