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 this summer, despite its snooze-inducing name. The principle governs that data on the Internet should be served to customers on a level playing field — at the same speeds — without priority for certain companies that might be able to pay for "fast lanes" for content.


Now, congressional Democrats want to put a ban on fast lanes, using legislation. A bill unveiled by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., requires the Federal Communications Commission — the authority charged with enforcing net neutrality — to use whatever authority it sees fit to stop "paid prioritization" agreements between broadband providers (like Comcast) and content providers (like Netflix). This aim of the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act is to make sure your Internet providers don't speed up some types of content (like Netflix videos) but not others.

"Americans are speaking loud and clear," Leahy said. "They want an Internet that is a platform for free expression and innovation, where the best ideas and services can reach consumers based on merit rather than based on a financial relationship with a broadband provider."


The FCC was enforcing net neutrality before it 

 this spring, after a legal challenge from Internet service provider Verizon. That sent the FCC back to the drawing board, and it's now in an 

.


Internet service providers like Comcast and Time Warner support 

 that opens the door to charge for fast lanes. Critics, who include consumer advocates, Internet companies and Democratic lawmakers, argue this is likely to stifle innovation — leaving out startups that can't afford to pay for faster delivery — and, moreover, quash the notion of a free and open Internet.
Chances that this proposal goes anywhere are slim, as 

Science

Elise Hu

Author

Net neutrality has become a hot topic this summer, despite its snooze-inducing name. The principle governs that data on the Internet should be served to customers on a level playing field -- at the same speeds -- without priority for certain companies that might be able to pay for "fast lanes" for content.

Democrats unveil a bill to ban Internet fast lanes

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