The term net neutrality is often used in the tech community but many people might not know about it. It is the concept that all traffic on the Internet is treated equally.

The term net neutrality is often used in the tech community but many people might not know about it. It is the concept that all traffic on the Internet is treated equally.

Whether you�re uploading a photo to Facebook or streaming a few videos on YouTube, they are treated as the same thing.

The Federal Communications Commission is about to destroy this.

On May 15, the FCC will consider a new proposal that will allow Internet service providers (Time Warner, Comcast, etc.) to create �fast lanes� that will provide faster Internet service to those users who pay for it.

Imagine a scenario where Hulu strikes a deal with Time Warner to have access to this fast lane. If you try to watch a movie on Netflix, the speeds will be much slower than if you watched a movie on Hulu. This is anti-competitive and against everything the Internet stands for.

The FCC needs to reclassify the Internet as a Title II service and regulate it like a common carrier, much like the traditional telephone network.

That way, the Internet will remain free from the control of the Internet service providers who want nothing more than to profit more. Contact Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, as well as congressional representatives to urge the FCC to make this reclassification.

Do not let the Internet as we know it be destroyed for profit.

AARON RIETSCHLIN

Columbus