Four Years Post-Net Neutrality Repeal: An SEOer's Perspective on Internet Evolution

Four years have passed since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed net neutrality. Despite predictions of doom and gloom, the internet has not only continued to thrive but has surpassed expectations in many aspects.

No Collapse of Internet Services

Contrary to the doomsday scenarios painted by critics, the repeal of net neutrality has not led to the collapse of the internet. The sky has not fallen, and the internet remains as robust and diverse as ever.

The Internet's Flourishing State

Since 2017, the internet has not only survived but has flourished, especially in terms of speed and accessibility. Let's look at some of the key areas where the internet has seen significant progress:

Increased Internet Speeds

When comparing the average internet speeds from 2017 to today, there is a significant improvement. In 2017, the average internet speed was around 85 Mbps, with an average monthly bill costing around $65. When adjusted for inflation, this would be roughly $75 today. Meanwhile, the cost of basic wireless plans was around $35 for 2GB of data, equivalent to about $40 today.

Fast forward to today, the average internet speed has increased to approximately 205 Mbps, with an average monthly bill of $65. This represents a three-fold increase in terms of Mbps for the same price! Additionally, wireless plans today offer basic unlimited 5G data for around $25, significantly lower than the earlier costs.

Impact of Net Neutrality on Telecom and Internet Services

The predictions that net neutrality's repeal would result in monopolies and unfair practices by ISPs have not come to pass. In fact, the repeal has unleashed a wave of innovation and growth:

ISP Growth: The largest telecommunications companies have thrived despite the lack of Net Neutrality. Companies like ATT, Verizon, and T-Mobile have seen their revenues and market shares increase significantly since the repeal. Increased Internet Competition: The removal of the Title II common carrier status has allowed for more competition in the market, leading to better services for consumers. New Internet Services: The lack of regulation has allowed for the development of new services such as 5G and other high-speed internet technologies.

Many critics of net neutrality claimed that it was a fight between corporations and not about freedom. However, the repeal led to a scenario where these companies could innovate and expand, further boosting the internet experience.

Technological Advancements Without Net Neutrality

The lack of net neutrality has not hindered technological advancements. Services like Netflix, which thrived without the limitations of net neutrality, have only grown stronger. Many new social media and streaming services have also emerged during this period, proving that the internet can still flourish without the restrictions of net neutrality.

In fact, the repeal of net neutrality has enabled more tiered pricing and packages, which has benefited both consumers and providers. Unlimited data plans can now be offered without the threat of throttling during peak times, which was a significant concern for many.

Butterfly Effect of Net Neutrality

Let's consider a hypothetical scenario where net neutrality still exists. In this scenario, tiered unlimited data plans would likely not exist. Lower-tier unlimited plans would get throttled during peak periods, making it hard to justify offering such plans. This would negate the demand for unlimited plans, leading to a less competitive market.

Furthermore, advanced services like WiFi HD voice and OTT traffic prioritization would be less feasible. This would mean that technologies such as 4G VoLTE might not be fully implemented due to the inability to prioritize voice traffic over data.

The lack of net neutrality has also paved the way for 5G deployments and advancements in core networking, including the 5G-SA Core, which can prioritize traffic for new features and services.

Politicians who argued against the repeal of net neutrality had it wrong. The FCC's decision to deregulate the internet has been a positive move, fostering competition and innovation. The US is well-positioned to lead the global technological revolution, unlike regions that still insist on net neutrality.

In conclusion, four years since the repeal of net neutrality, the internet has not only survived but has evolved and thrived, proving that the sky did not fall and that the internet is in a better place today than it was under the regulatory framework of net neutrality.