Open Internet Battle Resumes: How Could Net Neutrality Revival Shape the Future of Work?

As the workforce becomes even more digitally oriented, the push for a fair and level internet remains at the forefront of debate.

As the digital domain is integral to the future of work, the importance of a fair and open internet cannot be overstated. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) brought the net neutrality debate back to the forefront this week, ushering in a possible transformation of the digital landscape that could shape the world of work.

Under the guidance of Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC is poised to reinstate net neutrality rules that govern the flow of internet traffic, ReutersReuters reports. These rules, first established in 2015, were rolled back in 2017 during President Donald Trump’s administration.

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Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast cannot speed up traffic, slow down traffic, prevent traffic to certain sites, or charge for faster speeds — all of which could be abused by partnerships with larger companies. The overarching concern has been that — in the absence of these rules — ISPs might establish “fast lanes” on the internet, potentially sidelining startups and smaller entities in the workforce.

Reinstating net neutrality would provide startups and smaller businesses with equal access to consumers, eliminating the fear of traffic being restricted by larger corporations with deeper financial reserves. This environment could spur more innovation in the workforce, allowing newcomers to disrupt industries in the same vein as Netflix’s transformation of the entertainment industry.

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The pandemic accelerated the rise of remote work and digital collaboration. A free and open internet is essential for uninterrupted online communication, collaboration, and access to cloud-based tools, all of which have become heavily relied upon by many businesses. Any form of throttling or prioritization of these services disrupts productivity and collaboration in the modern workforce.

The push to reinstate net neutrality won’t be smooth. The FCC will encounter robust resistance from network providers. The need for a more regulated digital world is clear, and the development (or redevelopment) of net neutrality rules is a process that workers, businesses, and regulators should monitor closely.