So what does all the current chatter about Net neutrality and the future of the Internet really mean? According to a recent piece in CNET, and cross posted on CNN Tech, it’s much ado about nothing. Most of the ongoing debates about Net neutrality are theoretical, about a potential threat that could possibly appear in the future. But if that’s the case, then why haven’t these threats appeared yet? The answer, according to the article by Marguerite Reardon titled, “Debunking the Internet apocalypse,” is market forces. Reardon writes:

“The truth is that if Verizon and AT&T wanted to cannibalize their broadband business with premium broadband services, they’d already be doing it. But they aren’t, because there hasn’t been a market for it.

The reality is that consumers are in control of what type of services are offered. If the public Internet can adequately deliver a service for free, then there’s no need to pay for it…”

Reardon also focuses on the fact that a vast majority of Americans not only have access to multiple broadband provides, but 91% of customers are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their broadband service. She continues:

“While it’s true some consumers have access to only one broadband provider, nearly 70 percent of Americans have access to at least two broadband providers, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

In short, Verizon [or any other of America’s over 1,400 broadband providers] would be cutting off its nose to spite its face if it skimped on broadband capacity to feed its managed service business.”

To read the entire piece, click here.

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