Although “the Internet” seems ethereal, it is in fact a network of networks that connects billions of users around the world. The capabilities of the Internet are dependent on the reach of those networks. Many governments worldwide are considering how to effectively and efficiently make robust networks available to their citizens to enable them to access the Internet.
This article delves into reactions to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler‘s net-neutrality proposal. Stanford University professor Barbara van Schewick’s efforts to raise awareness of the consequences of a proposed paid prioritization option for Internet traffic are outlined.
Stanford Law professor Barbara Van Schewick said the FCC can't ban paid deals without reclassifying broadband. If the agency chooses to follow Mr. Wheeler's plan, she said, it must allow broadband providers to strike the deals with content companies to enforce the no-blocking rule.
"If we want an open Internet and the rules necessary to preserve it, we have to continue to make our voices heard and work hard to educate and convince the FCC, the White House, and members of Congress. The future of the Internet depends on it." — Barbara van Schewick, Professor, Stanford University
"I thought of it as a kind of perpetual frontier, the place where everyone gets a shot, where the underdogs have a chance. The Internet has been that. And I wanted some principles that would keep it that way." — Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia University
"It’s like FedEx. You pay a certain amount for overnight delivery and a certain amount for two-day delivery. You could end up with something like that for the Internet." — Philip Weiser, Dean, University of Colorado Law School
"The F.C.C. appears to be attempting to thread a needle. I don’t think we’ll know for a while whether they can succeed.” — Christopher Yoo, Professor, University of Pennsylvania
"The legal vacuum created by the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit threatens the Internet that we know and love. It threatens the start-up economy. It threatens American leadership in the Internet space. That is a huge problem, and we need to fix it." — Barbara van Schewick, Professor, Stanford University
"Network neutrality proponents seem to be assuming that the proposed standard would be tantamount to non-regulation. I’m not sure broadband providers regard the new rules as a green light for doing whatever they want." — Christopher Yoo, Professor, University of Pennsylvania
"We take it for granted that bloggers, start-ups, or nonprofits on an open Internet reach their audiences roughly the same way as everyone else. Now they won’t. They’ll be behind in the queue, watching as companies that can pay tolls to the cable companies speed ahead." — Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia University
“Phone and cable companies should be careful what they wish for because this could all blow up in their face. Verizon and Comcast could end up facing serious demands for money. It could be that Google will say to the telcos, ‘Actually, if you want your customers to be able to reach Google, I’m afraid you’re going to pay us.’” — Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia Law School
Select an Issue
TAP Academics
View all academics with expertise in Networks and Infrastructure
TAP Blog
Stanford law professor Barbara van Schewick explains why AT&T’s decision to suspend its sponsored data program is a “win for an open and free internet.”
March 26, 2021
View all blog posts about Networks and Infrastructure
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events about Networks and Infrastructure. Please see our events calendar for all upcoming events.
Fact Sheets
Given the significance of the Internet, preserving its “openness” – an idea often referred to as “network neutrality” or “net neutrality” – has been a long-standing issue.
View all fact sheets about Networks and Infrastructure
Featured Article
This paper looks at ideas to support open access to the Internet, including net neutrality rules.
June 4, 2003
View all articles on Networks and Infrastructure