Internet users clash with telecom companies over a neutral Web versus private control of content

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Some Internet users are fighting to retain neutral Web access while some telecommunication companies attempt to assert more control over the content they provide.

Vice President of Information Technology Roger Rehm said net neutrality means any information transmitted over the Internet is treated the same way as any other information, at least from a transmission and cost standpoint. Once the data hits the network, it travels just like all other data.

The opposite of Net neutrality is often referred to as tiered Internet, Rehm said. This idea is being promoted by several of the large telecom companies and would establish multiple tiers of service — pay more and your data travels faster and with better service.

Rehm said the controversy lies in the amount of control the government and service providers should possess.

“In general, those who promote Net neutrality argue for less governmental and corporate influence on the Internet,” Rehm said. “They want to keep it free and neutral with no gatekeepers and content oversight.”

On the other side, the companies argue they need to tier the service to provide acceptable, quality content to the large corporations that want to distribute it.

Ann Arbor-based Merit Networks provides Internet service for CMU. The university and Merit Networks set a 30-gigabyte-per-week limit on data access per student, and deny temporary access if it is surpassed.

Lake Linden senior Cole Bonini said he believes the Internet is the last bastion of freedom of speech.

“The ideal goal is to get everyone Internet access,” Bonini said. “(However), if the government continues to get more involved, it could (constrict) basic freedoms. Once they get their foot in this business, it could be a slippery slope.”

Part of the controversy rests on the limitations the government and service provider could place on a user’s network, such as limiting or slowing access to certain sites and services.

Midland sophomore Jason Hagle said he opposes the government controlling the way an Internet provider operates.

“Net neutrality is an issue whose complexity far outweighs its significance,” Hagle said. “So while it is important to keep discussion open, it is not worthwhile to press the issue through legislation before we actually see the consequences that we are trying to prevent.”