Good explanation of what net neutrality actually means and why it is important.
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But with the rising popularity of streaming video and miscel-laneous other services labeled "Web 2.0," some telecommunications companies are arguing that this -model of "net neutrality" must change. Online video quality is relatively intolerant of even small trans-mission delays. AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and other companies that own the backbone lines for the Internet would like to prioritize data streams to make the traffic flow more rationally. If they have their way, the Internet's next slogan might borrow from George Orwell's Animal Farm: "All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others." ...
Critics see a catch. Companies that sign with the telcos, or the content arms of the telcos themselves, could have a huge advantage over their rivals--an antimeritocratic arrangement that would distort competition and handicap start-ups. In the most abusive situations, some Web sites would become virtually unusable. And of course, the expense of those extra fees will eventually get passed along to consumers anyway in higher costs for content.
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