Myths and Facts in the Net Neutrality Debate

In the discourse over network neutrality there are some important facts getting lost in the shuffle. There are strong arguments that weigh in favor of network neutrality, and there are reasonable arguments that caution against it. There is no reason for either side to rely on myths to win support. So in an attempt to refute misconceptions, highlight flawed assumptions that underlie certain myths, or fill in the blanks where available information is too incomplete or ambiguous to support the conclusion being drawn. This memo clarifies some of the economic issues and addresses a number of myths including:

  • ISPs will not do anything to reduce the value of the Internet to their consumers. It would be bad for business.
  • Net Neutrality protections will cost jobs, or otherwise depress employment.
  • Network owners require the ability to price-prioritize in order to build faster, more comprehensive Internet service.

Myths and Facts in the Net Neutrality Debate