The underlying issue in Net Neutrality is the notion of free speech and economics. Because the internet is neutral now, anyone can start a website that is, in theory, equal to Google. However, most small websites don't reach Google or Ebay proportions. If net neutrality was disabled, bigger websites could afford to purchase "express lanes" to get their information around quicker than these smaller websites. It would be more efficient for high speed video and VOIP, yet it may come at the cost of smaller websites running slower.
Two groups in favor of net neutrality are Save the Internet and the owners of Google. They argue that taking away net neutrality will cause corporations to slow down other websites, favor their own creations, and hinder creativity from new innovators. They push for bills in Congress to regulate who owns and charges for use on the internet, and want to be sure that corporations cannot create a monopoly out of it. Google, in particular, argues that if net neutrality was disabled, a website created by small entrepreneurs would have a difficult time making it into the mainstream. Because they were once a small website which is now the most popular search engine, they fear that charging for a faster connection and better service will drive emerging companies out of business. A website like Google could be offering something great but be left out because of price.
Opponents of net neutrality come largely from HandsOffTheInternet.org, the Republican Party, and corporations like AT&T and Verizon. According to Hands Off, the internet works best with minimal government regulation. They also feel like new technology like VOIP, gaming, and high definition movies would work best if they could charge more for an "express lane" to get these demanding products through to the consumer without limitation. Currently, these products are required to share bandwidth with every other website online, and no special treatment is given between them or any other site.
In my opinion, net neutrality is a good thing. I would rather not have the internet be a monopoly, have tiered payments, or preferred bandwidth for certain things. Though I like watching movies online and talking to my friends abroad with Skype, I think they're both working fine right now and I don't believe that corporations need to control what I do online. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in the United States, taking it away from the internet would be a tragedy.
