What is Network Neutrality?

The phrase Network Neutrality describes networks that don't favor some destinations over others, or classes of application (for example the World Wide Web) over others (such as online gaming or Voice over IP).

Advocates of network neutrality claim that large telecommunications providers are attempting to unfairly profit from their investment in residential networks:
"[These companies] want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all"..."tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data."..."to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video —while slowing down or blocking their competitors"..."to reserve express lanes for their own content and services.

Network neutrality regulations are supported by large Internet content companies (e.g., Google, Yahoo, and EBay), consumers-rights groups such as Consumers Union, high-tech trade associations such the American Electronics Association (AeA), politically liberal blogs, and some elements of the Religious Right.

Opposition to network neutrality regulations generally comes from large communication carriers, manufacturers of network equipment (e.g., Cisco Systems), and free-market advocacy organizations such as the Cato Institute.