"Net Neutrality's End: Wake Up to Decentralized Internet"

The end of net neutrality: A wake-up call for a decentralized internet

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to roll back net neutrality regulations in the United States has sparked a renewed debate about the future of the internet. The move, which allows internet service providers (ISPs) to prioritize certain content and services, has raised concerns about the potential for corporate gatekeeping and the erosion of digital freedoms.

Net neutrality, the principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, has been a contentious issue in the US since the 1990s. While some argue that the repeal of net neutrality rules will lead to more investment, innovation, and competition, ISPs have consistently denied that net neutrality protections have any bearing on their investment decisions. A 2017 research report by the internet Association showed that ISPs continued to invest and innovate at similar or greater levels even when net neutrality regulations were in effect.

The absence of net neutrality will reduce consumers' power over internet access. ISPs can now block, slow down, or restrict consumers from accessing services, applications, or websites. Additionally, ISPs can charge content companies like Netflix and Amazon to provide their services to users in a faster, high-quality manner. This pay-to-play strategy can discourage newer players in content- and internet-based services, as they may not be able to compete with incumbents with deeper pockets. Moreover, ISPs could potentially censor or limit access to politically sensitive content, posing a direct threat to democracy and free speech.

In response to these growing threats, tech and policy leaders must pursue decentralized, permissionless internet access as a sustainable solution to safeguard digital freedoms, prevent corporate gatekeeping, and ensure accessibility for all users. Decentralized systems can address the threat of censorship by distributing content across a network of nodes, ensuring that no single entity can block or suppress information. Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) demonstrate how decentralized storage can keep data accessible even when network parts are disrupted or taken offline. This censorship resistance is crucial in regions where governments or corporations try to limit free expression online.

Decentralization can also cultivate economic democracy by eliminating intermediaries like ISPs and related fees. Blockchain-based platforms allow smaller, newer players to compete with incumbent services and content companies on a level playing field. The Helium network, for example, uses a decentralized model to challenge traditional