The idea of neutrality is an aspiration to equality. Just like all equality, its currently a myth when mixed with human nature. In this scenario the idea of Neutrality (net specifically) is that an internet service provider provides a lane-an avenue to reach a certain destination.
Just like Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile doesn’t have anything to do with your Samsung/Apple/LG/Motorola phone, only the call service your receiving. Short of illegal content, Verizon/Comcast/Time Warner shouldn’t have anything to do with the websites or services you use. Seems simple enough, right? I pay Verizon over $100 a month, so long as I’m not searching for child pornography or breaching private networks- the services that I use on their advertised speeds should be irrelevant.
Sadly, that’s not the case.
Verizon (among other carriers) customers recently have seen drastic quality issues using Netflix (among other things). Why? Well, they know you’re streaming Netflix and not their own OnDemand services, and they lower your bandwidth for that application. Everyone up to speed?
Interestingly- there are ways around this. AppleTV (sorry Apple Haters) for example, either doesn’t identify what its pulling data for, or specifically earmark as “Netflix” and thusly is not throttled.
Other ways around this throttle- go to Comcast, where Netflix has partnered (read: paid a higher premium to not get penalized by their service.) How is this legal?