In-case you are unaware Net Neutrality is the name used to the describe the fact that the Internet does not differentiate users based on size capitalisation, location or any other determining parameter. On the internet all websites are created equal, well almost. Of course website owners that invest in a well designed and built website with a certain focus on enhancing search engine optimisation (SEO) will have an advantage over a competitor that doesn’t, the fact remains that the field on which they play is level.

Killing Net Neutrality

The move to “Kill Net Neutrality” refers to the controlling of website access speeds based on the access paln a website owner has in place with their hosting ISP.

Allowing access speeds to websites to be controlled based on financial agreements cuts to the heart on which the internet was formed. The world wide web has always been a semi level playing field, an environment where a small website operator can compete with a large corporate, This is especially true for the start up business seeking to establish themselves on the internet.

A recent agreement made between Netflix and AT&T in which Netflix has agreed to pay a premium to their ISP and broadband provider to guarantee the fast delivery of their video content (movies and TV shows) can be seen as one of the first moves to break down Net Neutrality.

Impact

For larger company’s on the internet, paying to ensure fast access to their website will probably be a manageable cost. The real loser if this is to happen will be the business seeking to establish an online brand, the small home based company that relies on a web presence to generate sales rather than invest in a physical shop.

There are flow on effects, if the ability for a small business to establish themselves on the web is constrained, their ability and the likelihood that they will in the future hire employees also diminishes.

Speed Matters

Since 2010 Google has been factoring website load speeds into its search index algorithm – it is important!  Whether you are selling product or delivering a service, speed counts.

As the move to Kill Net Neutrality gains momentum, keep informed about developments and when you have the opportunity, offer your support to the movement to keep Net Neutrality a feature of the internet that remains for many years to come.

Remember the real losers if this happens will be the small websites and business’s yet to establish an online presence, it could be you!