A primer on net neutrality

The internet has been rife with lamentations about the upcoming Federal Communications Commission vote to end Obama-era net neutrality rules.

Techman thought it might be helpful to list some bullet points to clarify the situation.

• Net neutrality regulations are on the internet service providers, the people who sell you broadband internet service, such as Verizon, Comcast, etc. Net neutrality does not directly regulate web content, although there could be some effect on content if it is revoked.

• Net neutrality gives the FCC the legal right to regulate ISPs by classifying them the same as telephone companies. Revoking it would remove that right.

• Net neutrality rules forbid ISPs from certain practices seen as anticompetitive. ISPs could not set up a tiered internet for certain content and to curb access to some websites — a “fast lane” and a “slow lane.” Of course, rich sites could pay more to be in the fast lane. This restriction would end.

• ISPs cannot block certain websites. If net neutrality ends, they could.

• ISPs cannot favor their own services — say, streaming video — with faster internet speed or “throttle,” or slow down, access the certain sites. This prohibition would end.

• The FCC order also adds one specific rule. States cannot enact their own net neutrality rules.

It is important to note that revoking net neutrality does not compel ISPs to do any of these things. Normally, competition would prevent customer-unfriendly changes. But in many areas, there is only one ISP.

Critics say revoking net neutrality would stifle innovation by driving smaller internet businesses to shut down because of high fees or slow speeds.

The vote to scrap net neutrality rules is set for Dec. 14.

NoMoRobo. The FCC issued an order allowing mobile phone carriers, landline phone companies and voice-over-internet carriers such as cable companies to block certain robocalls. Calls with spoofed, or falsified, caller ID or that come from invalid numbers or numbers not in use can be blocked. Carriers can charge for the blocking services.

It’s not ready. If you have

been waiting for Apple’s HomePod speaker including Siri voice control, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Apple announced it has delayed launch from late 2017 to early 2018.

Billionaire prime. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ net worth has exceeded $100 billion for the first time. That makes him the richest man in the world at the moment, according to The Verge.

Give us some. Workers at a half-dozen Amazon distribution centers in Germany and one in Italy walked off the job on Black Friday to demand better wages from the American online giant, according to ABCNews.

Keep on truckin’. Tesla posted estimated prices for its electric semi truck, due out in 2019. According to the company, a low-end truck with a 300-mile range will cost around $150,000, while you’ll be able to get a range of 500 miles for $180,000. A typical conventional truck costs about $120,000, says Ars Technica.