Net neutrality: Long-term implications loom for Internet of Things

The Federal Communications Commission's order to protect the open Internet, which passed with a 3-2 vote, carries with it implications for the Internet of Things (IoT), even though the immediate impact might not be felt for quite some time.

While details are emerging, the overall consensus is there will be some impact, but like net neutrality itself, there are divergent views on how negative or positive the effects will be. John Byrne, directing analyst of machine to machine (M2M) and IoT at Infonetics Research, expects the rules will not have any immediate impact on IoT applications. "The new rules apply to 'broadband Internet access service' -- is that or is that not IoT? In some cases it clearly is; connected home for example," Byrne said. Other cases are not so clear -- what about home healthcare, which arguably has both a consumer and business-to-business play? On the negative side of things, Kore Wireless CEO Alex Brisbourne said, "I have two main concerns. First, I believe net neutrality will prevent valid opportunities to use next-gen networks for critical services that validly would have priority route management (e.g., first responder, medical alert, etc.). This will continue to foster proprietary network build and need. Second, it will prevent the development of valid, 'multi-tier' commercial pricing models, where best efforts at a low price may be attractive."