But For These Rules...

[Commentary] At the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, Verizon explained, in the simplest terms possible, why network neutrality rules are so important: the rules are the only thing preventing Internet service providers from turning the Internet into cable TV.

During the oral argument, the judges and Verizon’s attorney discussed Verizon’s desire to enter into special commercial agreements with “edge providers.” Edge providers are just another name for websites and services – everyone from Google, Netflix, and Facebook to the Public Knowledge policy blog. These types of agreements – where ISPs charge edge providers extra just to be able to reach the ISP’s subscribers – are exactly the types of agreements that raise network neutrality concerns. If Verizon – or any ISP – can go to a website and demand extra money just to reach Verizon subscribers, the fundamental fairness of competing on the Internet would be disrupted. It would immediately make Verizon the gatekeeper to what would and would not succeed online. ISPs, not users, not the market, would decide which websites and services succeed. Fortunately, we have rules that prevent this type of behavior. The FCC’s Open Internet rules are the only thing stopping ISPs from injecting themselves between every website and their subscribers.

[Michael Weinberg is Vice President of Public Knowledge.]