With the fresh FCC proposals, the discussion of what an open internet should be is starting anew. The problem is an underlying tension between providing open access as a matter of public policy, in order to strengthen free discussions and online innovation, and giving the carrier incentives too improve network infrastructure.
It arises from the fact that internet infrastructure is a natural monopoly, especially the wired kind, thanks to the serious capital investment required. There are now two ways to deal with it:
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recognize it as a monopoly, and regulate it accordingly.
In this case, the states or counties will have tenders for the provision, and they will select one provider for the service, just as it is now done with electricity distribution and water.
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keep the current setup, and enforce neutrality on only a basic chunk.
In this model, the first, say, 4 MBit/s would fall under neutrality, and the rest could be used as the carrier pleases, in order to give them an incentive to improve their networks. This basic chunk would be increased from time to time, as average provisioning improves, and to ensure that carriers continue to improve their offerings so that they can sell the more lucrative advanced service.