The Internet Ecosystem - The Potential for Discrimination

The Federal Communication Commission is considering rules enforcing "Network neutrality" and legislation proposing similar goals have been discussed in Congress. The goals of the proposed regulation and legislation are preserve an "Open Internet", but are specifically directed toward access networks, or the first link that directly connects users to the Internet. The authors argue that preserving open competition in a host of "Higher level" Internet services is equally if not more important, but since the rate of technology innovation typically out-paces the need for regulation, there is no need to impose regulation at this time.