Here’s an example of how the FCC’s new rules could affect you. Since Comcast owns NBC, Comcast would probably prefer to promote NBC's content over ABC's to its subscribers. Net neutrality used to prevent Comcast from being able to discriminate, and it had to display both NBC's and ABC's content evenly. Same speed, same quality, same access. With the FCC’s new rules, Comcast could decide to put ABC’s content in an internet “slow lane” for their subscribers.
So what, right? There are worse things than waiting for Scandal or Dancing With The Stars to buffer. It could be a lot worse for some people. In the worst-case scenario, some subscribers to companies like Verizon or Comcast may only be able to afford a plan where the content they have access to is pre-selected by their provider. Or maybe the plan gives access to your favorite news outlets, but provides high speed access to the news outlets they prefer.
In this new world, your ISP and the terms of your data contract could dictate what information you have access to, where you can shop online, and even whether or not you can afford to launch a new online business.
In our increasingly connected world, we need a free and open internet.