An Alternative To Net Neutrality

Published: August 7, 2018

Many people worry without explicit prohibitions, internet service providers would prioritize traffic from big businesses in a way that would harm innovation and stifle competition. But the internet has operated for decades without needing explicit regulations, and remedies already exist for the types of abuses many are concerned about. Promoting competition among internet service providers offers consumers far greater protection than heavy handed regulation tomorrow.

Discussion Questions

1. How does net neutrality affect everyday consumers of the internet?
2. Have you been personally affected since net neutrality rules were removed again in 2018?
3. Do you think net neutrality regulations should be implemented? Why or why not?

Additional Resources

• Read Richard Epstein’s “The Problem with Net Neutrality,” available here.
• Listen as Richard Epstein considers the arguments for and against net neutrality and analyzes the recent DC circuit ruling on the matter, available here.
• Watch as Hoover Institution fellow Adam White debates whether the FCC can impose common-carrier regulation on internet service providers under Title II of the Communications Act, available here.