Net Neutrality repeal in the U.S - Discussion on how it will affect NZ and further steps.
Daymond Goulder-Horobin
Public
Seen by 86
Along the journey and daily goings through the internet you may have heard some disturbing news recently. In the U.S the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has had another go at repealing laws around the idea of Net Neutrality, thanks to the efforts of its Chairman Ajit Pai. Despite 95% of the Internet opposed to this we can obviously make out that the FCC does not really care in a similar fashion to the TPP situation in NZ. As of now protests are running the U.S to oppose it and a plethora of videos exist on the subject. My favourite ones so far being.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHyMORrsaYk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtt2aSV8wdw
Meanwhile Ajit Pai has basically disconnected from the U.S population and perhaps his connection to Verizon is more than just a coincidence.
However turning to New Zealand, Lets assume that the FCC continues to ignore everyone as U.S democracy is and passes the bill to repeal Net Neutrality, what do we think the fallout in NZ will be? I see the obvious one which gives the NZ Govt. a precedent to go by. i.e the argument "The U.S did it so NZ should to it" becomes an argument that lobbyists can use.
I feel like almost no discussion is needed on net neutrality itself, surely we can come together on this quite easily. I am more interested in:
How this will affect NZ, knowing this fully will give us reason to approach activist groups to raise awareness on this development in the U.S which can bite us back here.
How we can help to stop the FCC from doing it. Might be a hopeless fight but nothing is stopping us from getting on a live-stream with Kim Dotcom and going at the FCC for all its worth.
Daymond Goulder-Horobin Sat 9 Dec 2017 2:03AM
Do you mean in terms of if NZ passes a net neutrality law like the U.S? I've heard of the idea that access to U.S servers will be limited from other countries accessing them.
Good reference:
https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/23/16693840/net-neutrality-us-fcc-global-effect
Tane Harre Sat 9 Dec 2017 6:21AM
Access to US servers is already restricted where information crosses the borders (EU vs US).
And no, I mean in terms of nothing will happen to upset the public and it will be sold to them as a good thing while they milk the bottom line for all it is worth. Exactly the same as now but more expensive for individuals.
Daymond Goulder-Horobin Mon 11 Dec 2017 5:51AM
https://www.battleforthenet.com/breaktheinternet/
I would recommend members of the Internet Party participating in this event.
IP Jo Booth Mon 11 Dec 2017 11:53AM
https://resist.bot gives you a text message option - but unfortunately most of #BreakTheInternet is about calling congress or your representative. All good if you’re a US citizen.
Daymond Goulder-Horobin Tue 12 Dec 2017 5:22AM
I think one of the strategies proposed was to simply bombard Social Media and reddits with the threat of NN being pulled down.
Tane Harre · Fri 8 Dec 2017 9:47AM
How will this effect NZ?
In the short term there will be little effect. People will protest, etc...but nothing noticeable will happen until the companies have their contracts sorted. After that certain services and options will just disappear from view.
Searching on Google will be customised to each ISP contract set as well as the country as a whole so searching in Chorus might bring up Wikipedia as a first result but on Vodafone it might be page three and slow loading as it isn't part of their contract set.