What is Net neutrality?
'''Net neutrality''' (also '''network neutrality''', '''Internet neutrality''', or '''net equality''') is the [[principle]] that [[Internet service provider]]s and governments should treat all data on the [[Internet]] equally. There should be no discriminating or charging differently by [[User (computing)|user]], content, [[Website|site]], [[Platform (computing)|platform]], [[Application software|application]], type of attached equipment, or mode of communication. The term was coined by [[Columbia University]] media law professor [[Tim Wu]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2015/february2015/wu-statement |title=Columbia Law School Professor Tim Wu, Who Coined the Term ‘Net Neutrality,’ Comments on New FCC Rule |author= |website= |publisher=The Trustees of Columbia University |accessdate=13 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404021518/http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2015/february2015/wu-statement |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was an extension of the longstanding concept of a [[common carrier]]. Examples of net neutrality violations include when the Internet service provider [[Comcast]] intentionally slowed [[peer-to-peer]] communications.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21376597/|title=Comcast Blocks some Subscriber Internet Traffic, AP Testing shows|author=Peter Svensson|agency=Associated Press|date=19 October 2007|accessdate=25 October 2009}}</ref> In 2007, one other company was using deep packet inspection to discriminate against peer-to-peer, [[File Transfer Protocol|file transfer protocol]], and [[Online game|online games.]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Nate |url=https://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2007/07/Deep-packet-inspection-meets-net-neutrality.ars/2 |title=Deep packet inspection meets 'Net neutrality, CALEA |publisher=Ars Technica |date=25 July 2007 |accessdate=23 June 2011}}</ref> They started using a [[Cell phone|cell-phone]]-style billing system. =