To understand the importance of net neutrality—and the public fight to preserve it—we’re gathering here a collection that illustrates what it is, why it matters, and how lost the internet would be without it. Meanwhile, you can watch the FCC vote unfold live right here, starting at 10:30 ET.

How the FCC’s Net Neutrality Plan Breaks With 50 Years of History
Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu coined the term “net neutrality.” Here, he argues that its abolishment overturns precedents that date back to the ’70s.

Here’s How the End of Net Neutrality Will Change the Internet
What would the end of net neutrality mean in practice? Nothing good—unless you’re a giant ISP.

Expect Fewer Great Startups If the FCC Kills Net Neutrality
One argument in favor of pulling net neutrality laws is that it’ll be good for innovation. In fact, argues Stanford Law School fellow Ryan Singel, it will stifle the startups who provide just that.

The FCC Wants to Kill Net Neutrality, But Congress Will Pay the Price
Given its popularity, doing away with net neutrality will exact a political toll—but not on the agency behind it.

The FCC’s Plan to Kill Net Neutrality Could Hurt Students
The creation of more expensive internet “fast lanes” could make it much harder for students and colleges to benefit from online learning tools, like streaming lecture videos.

Making Sense of Net Neutrality Under Trump
Keeping track of how various administrations treat technology in the Trump administration—the Department of Justice wants to block AT&T’s proposed Time Warner acquisition, while the FCC wants to do away with net neutrality—can give you whiplash. But it also speaks to deeper conflicts in Trump’s efforts to balance populism with deregulation.

Where One Popular Argument Against Net Neutrality Rules Falls Short
Some respected internet analysts actually agree with the FCC’s plan to repeal net neutrality rules, while still supporting net neutrality in general. But the argument that pre-existing protections alone can prevent ISPs from misbehaving is simply false.

Ajit Pai’s Shell Game
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s net neutrality overreach is a trick, argues Backchannel columnist and Harvard Law School professor Susan Crawford, designed to distract from the core issue of broadband accessibility.

How Bots Broke the FCC’s Net Neutrality Comment System
Out of 22 million public comments, a full million came from bots. Millions more came from form letters, making it nearly impossible to sort real concerns from fake.

The FCC Must Investigate Fraud Before Voting on Net Neutrality
Current FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel argues that the net neutrality vote shouldn’t go forward until the agency better understands how bots hacked the comment period.

It’s Super Hard to Find Humans in the FCC’s Net Neutrality Comments
If the FCC ever does investigate, they’ll see just how hard it is to tell the real comments from the bots and form letters. We know, because we tried to find all 39 Nicholas Thompsons who commented.

The FCC’s Plan to Gut Net Neutrality Includes Internet ‘Fast Lanes’
The assumption was that Pai’s plan to replace net neutrality would be bad, but maybe not this bad; the agency’s proposal reads like a worst-case checklist for open web advocates.

Why Apple Finally Joined the Net Neutrality Fight
For the longest time, Apple set on the net neutrality sidelines. This summer, it finally joined the fray—in part, at least, because the company’s newfound interest in creating original content means it could feel throttling’s impact directly.

Why Net Neutrality Matters
Looking for a primer on what all the fuss is about? Here’s your look at why net neutrality matters, even when it feels like lost cause.

Senator Ron Wyden Leads the Battle for Net Neutrality
A conversation with the Senate’s staunchest net neutrality advocate on what can be done, both within and without the political process.

Kill the Open Internet, and Wave Goodbye to Consumer Choice
A current FCC commissioner and former FCC general counsel lay out the competitive case for keeping net neutrality alive.

Former FCC Boss Tom Wheeler Defends Internet Freedom
During his tenure as FCC chair in the Obama administration, Tom Wheeler fought to preserve the fundamentals of net neutrality. Without it, he says in this exclusive interview, internet freedom will be lost.

Net Neutrality Benefits Consumers and Companies Alike
In this op-ed, NYU economist Nicholas Economides argues that net neutrality shouldn’t pit people against companies. In fact, it’s actively good for business.

Hey, Start-Ups, It’s Your Duty to Fight For Net Neutrality
Sam Altman, president of the influential Y Combinator start-up indicator, argues in this op-ed that early-stage companies shouldn’t merely take an interest in net neutrality; they have an obligation to fight for it.

The End of Net Neutrality Could Shackle the Internet of Things
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking net neutrality applies to video only. But in truth, its demise would exact a serious toll across the entire internet–especially the internet of things.

After the FCC Vote, the Net Neutrality Fight Moves to the Courts and Congress
Remember, no matter what happens Thursday: This isn’t over.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.wired.com