LUKE KEHOE
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  • Fixed
    • Exploring the Edge and the Future of a Decentralised Internet
    • Messing with the National Broadband Plan is a perilous precedent for Ireland
    • How Fibre is shaping 5G
    • Examining the viability of FWA in the 5G Era
    • The Changing Face of Broadband in Ireland
    • Dismantling the Optics of a National Broadband Plan fraught with trouble
    • Ireland's Gigabit Society is now within an arm's reach
    • The Merits of a Hybrid Broadband Network
    • Fibre: The Electricity of Tomorrow
    • The National Broadband Plan: Needlessly corrupted by Politics
    • Investigating the alternatives to Fibre Broadband in Ireland
    • Virgin Media: The Company that changed how we think about Broadband in Ireland
    • The Evolution of Quad-Play Services
    • An Analysis of Net Neutrality in Ireland: Why we are Particularly Vulnerable to its Eradication
    • The Best Mobile Broadband Plans in Ireland
    • eir: Few Companies have this much Potential
    • The National Broadband Plan: A Dream marred by Mistakes
    • How SIRO is revolutionising Ireland
    • The Best Fibre Broadband Only Plans
  • Mobile
    • Analysis: Vodafone goes unlimited in Ireland
    • A Breath of Fresh Eir
    • Understanding VoLTE: The Voice of Tomorrow
    • Your Technical Guide to WiFi Calling in Ireland.
    • Mapping Ireland and Europe's path to 5G
    • 5G and the Divide Divide haunting Ireland
    • Busting three myths thwarting the IoT
    • The MVNO model is ripe for disruption
    • Pest Pulse is using the IoT to tackle an old problem in a new way
    • The trends that will shape Ireland's Mobile Market in 2019
    • Mobile Coverage and Ireland: Not a Match
    • An Interview with the man building Ireland's largest IoT Network: Will Ferguson
    • The State of the IoT in Ireland
    • The Struggle to Monetise Data
    • In Ireland, Huawei finds a home with Three and eir, rebelling against "Security Concerns"
    • Revealed: The Irish Network with the Best 4G Coverage 2018
    • How are we tackling Coverage Black Spots in Ireland?
    • Breaking Down ComReg's latest Report on the Irish Mobile Market
    • The Shift from Growth to Retention in the Irish Telecoms Market
    • Five Challenges that the IoT is facing
    • Why ComReg is Vital for a Successful Telecoms Industry in Ireland
    • Tesco Mobile passes 400,000 Customers and adds 4G
    • How our Mobile Providers are facilitating surging Data Traffic
    • Eight Industries that are being transformed by Sigfox
    • Vodafone Review: The Best Network in Ireland keeps getting Better
    • Why will 5G be faster than 4G?
    • Is Xavier Niel on the verge of shaking up the Irish Mobile Market with Eir
    • Eir overhauls its mobile plans, giving customers more data than ever
    • NB-IoT Explained: The Technology that Vodafone hopes will connect everything
    • The MVNO Flop: Why Ireland's MVNOs have failed to make an impact
    • Explained: Why Telecoms and Media Giants are Merging
    • The Power of Sigfox: Pioneering the IoT Revolution
    • Vodafone Ireland launches "V by Vodafone", bringing the Internet of Things to the masses
    • The IoT Revolution: Connecting Everything
    • The Unlimited Delusion: When Unlimited means Limited
    • The Best Mobile Plans for your Business
    • The Best Bill Pay Plans in Ireland
    • The Best Pay as you go Plans in Ireland
    • Was the Three-O2 Merger a Mistake?
    • The State of Irish Mobile Networks: Summer 2018
    • Vodafone killed Cherry Points: A Mistake?
    • Here's how 5G will transform Ireland
    • Three just stormed past Eir
    • An analysis of Ireland's big three Mobile Networks
    • How Cheap can our Mobile Plans Get?
    • Net Neutrality: More than the Internet is at stake
    • Here's why Vodafone's pay as you go plans are the best out there.
    • iD Mobile's Demise is hardly a surprise
    • The Battle for 5G Supremacy
    • Unlimited Data is only as good as the Network it's on.
  • Reviews
    • eir Mobile Review: Not the Network to choose in 2018
    • Invoxia GPS Tracker Review: Elegance boasts Phenomenal Battery Life
    • Three Review: The Best Value Network in Ireland
    • Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset Review:
    • Vodafone TV Review: Redefining what we think of TV
    • Vodafone Mobile Broadband Review: Connecting the Disconnected
    • 3Plus Review: The Best Loyalty Program Out There
    • 3 Sim Only Review: World-Class Value
    • Tesco Mobile Review: The Best network for the Frugal
    • Three Review: All you can Eat Buffering
    • Vodafone Review: The Network to Beat
    • Meteor Review: Excellence Exemplified
    • Should Virgin Media be your next Mobile Network?
    • Samsung Galaxy S8: The Pinnacle of Smartphone Advancement
    • Huawei P10: The Best phone people don't know about
    • Vodafone Smart Platinum 7.
    • Vodafone Smart Prime 7.

An Analysis of Net Neutrality in Ireland: Why we are Particularly Vulnerable to its Eradication

Without Net Neutrality, we will find ourselves on a slippery slope, a slope that will destroy the Internet as we know it today.
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Credit: Prototypr
Published 10/08/18
What is the Internet? Think about that for a second. Many believe the Internet is Facebook, Google or perhaps YouTube. But in reality, the Internet is a system of highways composed of many exits, and it's not controlled by any one person or corporation. You can travel wherever you like, at a speed that meets your needs, and adventure to whatever exit you wish without any interference.

And that last point is the pinnacle of importance as we move forward. The Internet has given birth to hundreds of new industries, created quality jobs, connected those who were previously isolated, given people with disabilities new opportunities to learn and flourish, and provided us with the tools needed to innovate. In fact, some would point to the Internet as one of the greatest inventions in the history of the human race, an invention so transformative that it advances our race.

But we are facing a threat so large that has the power to shift the ownership of the Internet from us, the users, to huge corporations, effectively creating an intranet. If the Internet becomes an Intranet, it will be controlled by a few people, and become a walled garden. We will browse what the companies want us to browse, not what we wish, and traffic will be throttled to websites and services which have not paid for priority access. It would be a mess, and completely destroy the Internet as we know it today. 

Net Neutrality Explained

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Credit: Avvo Stories
Net Neutrality is a simple concept. It aims to keep the Internet in the state it is today, a land of freedom and prosperity. On a more advanced level, Net Neutrality means treating all Internet traffic the same, regardless of its source, and regardless of the Internet Service Provider that is being used. In practice, this means that services such as Netflix should be available on every Internet Service Provider, and should not receive any form of prioritisation or throttling.

Internet Service Providers should enable access to any website or service, and not favour or block a particular one. Net Neutrality aims to prevent the development of Internet fast lanes, in which certain services are given priority while others are throttled. For small companies, especially those who engage in online activity, Net Neutrality ensures their services are as accessible as those of huge conglomerates. This prevents large companies paying Internet Service Providers to prioritise their traffic over others.

The idea of Net Neutrality has become very pervasive in the US, where Internet Service Providers such as Comcast and AT&T have been found to prioritise some services over others. However, the rules to keep Net Neutrality in place were recently repealed by the FCC, or Federal Communications Commission (The US equivalent of ComReg), and we are beginning to witness some of its effects already.

For the Internet Service Providers, the existence of Net Neutrality is an obstacle to pocketing more profits. These telecoms companies have watched, in jealousy, at the rise of companies such as Facebook and Google. People's use of SMS and phone calls have declined, and that is a direct result of the introduction of free services such as Whatsapp. When you decide to make a call on Whatsapp, you are taking away revenue from your mobile network. This is disturbing for telecoms companies and that's why they've formed lobbyist groups to argue for the abolition of Net Neutrality.

Another argument that Internet Service Providers often like to raise against Net Neutrality is the amount money they spend on developing infrastructure such as base stations, data centres, etc. This infrastructure is then used by companies such as Google and Facebook to deliver their services, and they don't have to pay a penny to the provider. Telecoms companies argue that paid peering, where a company like Netflix must pay to ensure the smooth delivery of their services, are necessary to warrant investing in new infrastructure. But, it is really just an excuse to find a new stream of revenue.

We are Particularly Vulnerable to its Eradication

We are particularly vulnerable to the eradication of Net Neutrality, and its obvious as to why. There are just three mobile networks in Ireland (Vodafone, Three and Eir) and only two large Internet Service Providers (Eir and Virgin Media). With such little competition, the integrity of Net Neutrality diminishes very rapidly.

For example, Eir maintains huge power over our access to the Internet in Ireland, if the company decided it was time to create Internet fast lanes, we could do very little as there is no other provider in many locations. This same premise extends to our mobile networks, which are the only means for many to access the Internet. With the flick of a switch, Vodafone could throttle traffic to certain websites if they fail to pay up.

To gain a greater insight into what our Internet would like without Net Neutrality, let's look at TV services provided by Sky, Virgin Media, and Vodafone. At its most basic level, the Internet would become paid TV if Net Neutrality dies. With TV, we pay to access different channels, and we see a very limited range of content. Whichever company pays the TV provider the most, we see their content being promoted above others. There's no real choice, you must watch what you are given. Now, if we compare this with the Internet, they are worlds apart. You can watch whatever service you like, whether its YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Video, and aren't forced to choose from a limited selection of services. This freedom of choice will slowly fade without Net Neutrality, just as it did with TV.

The Companies For and Against Net Neutrality

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Credit: Vodafone
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Even with the support that Net Neutrality has garnered, many companies are intent on seeing its death. Those companies are almost always Internet Service Providers who have been freaked out by Silicon Valley. Prime examples of these companies include Vodafone, the largest telecoms company in the world by revenue, AT&T and Comcast. Here in Ireland, Vodafone and Eir have tested our tolerance for an Internet without Net Neutrality.

On Vodafone's part, the company quietly implements traffic management on some of its pay as you go plans even if you do not exceed your data allowance, as is described in the T&Cs shown above. This means that you may experience slower speeds during times of congestion than other users, something that I've found is the case with my own plan. Obviously, it is fair that Vodafone does need to manage the network in a way that ensures the best possible experience for everyone, but I'm not too sure if this is the best way to go about doing things, especially when it is not made clear by the company.

Vodafone has also dabbled in the zero-rating game, promoting its own Vodafone TV service by zero-rating the app's data usage on your mobile connection. This, at its simplest level, means Vodafone is prioritising their own services over those offered by other content providers. In the UK, Vodafone operates a service called "Vodafone Passes" which allows customers to pay for zero-rated data to music services, video and more. This is a blatant abuse of Net Neutrality, and the UK's telecoms watchdog, Ofcom, is currently investigating the legality of the service. It would be a disastrous mistake for Vodafone to bring this feature to Ireland, as it hurts competition amongst content providers by favouring those that flash the most cash in Vodafone's face.

Now, its time to look at Eir, who is the biggest culprit for urging the eradication of Net Neutrality in Ireland. The company provides a slew of pay as you go plans, which appear very enticing on the surface, but jeopardise a free and open Internet. The plans include a feature which allows for unlimited access to certain services such as YouTube, Snapchat, Whatsapp and Instagram. Eir zero-rates these services, up to a fair usage limit, and if you wish to use services not included, they will eat into your data allowance. Without a doubt, it is clear that customers will be more inclined to use the zero-rated services rather than the ones that could potentially cost them money. I should also mention that Eir, like Vodafone, also zero-rates data usage on its Eir Vision TV app.

For every company against Net Neutrality, there is at least two fighting for its survival. Those companies are the ones that rely on the Internet for the distribution of their services, think Amazon, Google and Spotify. Keeping Net Neutrality in place is in their interests, without it, they'll be forced to pay Internet Service Providers to access Internet users. This highlights the divide which has slowly developed between tech companies and traditional telecoms monopolies. As explained, these tech companies have been chipping away at the profits of telecoms companies by offering free services that essentially replace paid ones.

Conclusion: Net Neutrality's Death would be a Catastrophe for Mankind

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Credit: Youth Radio
​Vodafone and Eir's actions put us on a slippery slope that will lead to a dystopian future for our Internet, an Internet which will be controlled solely by the people who provide it. That would be a catastrophe for mankind, it would stifle innovation, hinder the growth of the digital economy, and jeopardise our future.

The Internet should be viewed as a public utility and a critical part of our infrastructure, a utility as important as water and electricity. Just as roads have connected our societies, the Internet has also, shortening the distances between people across the globe from days and hours to mere seconds.

Many would assume that this issue is primarily concentrated in the US, but that would be an ignorant approach. Just as with so many other regulations, they tend to trickle to other parts of the world. Even some of the most powerful leaders on this continent have called for the death of Net Neutrality, such as Angela Merkel, and this puts us in great danger.

The people who provide the Internet are intent on destroying it, driven by the fear of declining profits. We can't let a tool so important fall into the wrong hands because it would jeopardise the Internet's very existence.

Vodafone Review: The Best Network in Ireland keeps getting better

An in-depth review of Vodafone, Ireland's largest mobile network, covering everything from network quality to plans and customer care.​
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  • Home
  • Fixed
    • Exploring the Edge and the Future of a Decentralised Internet
    • Messing with the National Broadband Plan is a perilous precedent for Ireland
    • How Fibre is shaping 5G
    • Examining the viability of FWA in the 5G Era
    • The Changing Face of Broadband in Ireland
    • Dismantling the Optics of a National Broadband Plan fraught with trouble
    • Ireland's Gigabit Society is now within an arm's reach
    • The Merits of a Hybrid Broadband Network
    • Fibre: The Electricity of Tomorrow
    • The National Broadband Plan: Needlessly corrupted by Politics
    • Investigating the alternatives to Fibre Broadband in Ireland
    • Virgin Media: The Company that changed how we think about Broadband in Ireland
    • The Evolution of Quad-Play Services
    • An Analysis of Net Neutrality in Ireland: Why we are Particularly Vulnerable to its Eradication
    • The Best Mobile Broadband Plans in Ireland
    • eir: Few Companies have this much Potential
    • The National Broadband Plan: A Dream marred by Mistakes
    • How SIRO is revolutionising Ireland
    • The Best Fibre Broadband Only Plans
  • Mobile
    • Analysis: Vodafone goes unlimited in Ireland
    • A Breath of Fresh Eir
    • Understanding VoLTE: The Voice of Tomorrow
    • Your Technical Guide to WiFi Calling in Ireland.
    • Mapping Ireland and Europe's path to 5G
    • 5G and the Divide Divide haunting Ireland
    • Busting three myths thwarting the IoT
    • The MVNO model is ripe for disruption
    • Pest Pulse is using the IoT to tackle an old problem in a new way
    • The trends that will shape Ireland's Mobile Market in 2019
    • Mobile Coverage and Ireland: Not a Match
    • An Interview with the man building Ireland's largest IoT Network: Will Ferguson
    • The State of the IoT in Ireland
    • The Struggle to Monetise Data
    • In Ireland, Huawei finds a home with Three and eir, rebelling against "Security Concerns"
    • Revealed: The Irish Network with the Best 4G Coverage 2018
    • How are we tackling Coverage Black Spots in Ireland?
    • Breaking Down ComReg's latest Report on the Irish Mobile Market
    • The Shift from Growth to Retention in the Irish Telecoms Market
    • Five Challenges that the IoT is facing
    • Why ComReg is Vital for a Successful Telecoms Industry in Ireland
    • Tesco Mobile passes 400,000 Customers and adds 4G
    • How our Mobile Providers are facilitating surging Data Traffic
    • Eight Industries that are being transformed by Sigfox
    • Vodafone Review: The Best Network in Ireland keeps getting Better
    • Why will 5G be faster than 4G?
    • Is Xavier Niel on the verge of shaking up the Irish Mobile Market with Eir
    • Eir overhauls its mobile plans, giving customers more data than ever
    • NB-IoT Explained: The Technology that Vodafone hopes will connect everything
    • The MVNO Flop: Why Ireland's MVNOs have failed to make an impact
    • Explained: Why Telecoms and Media Giants are Merging
    • The Power of Sigfox: Pioneering the IoT Revolution
    • Vodafone Ireland launches "V by Vodafone", bringing the Internet of Things to the masses
    • The IoT Revolution: Connecting Everything
    • The Unlimited Delusion: When Unlimited means Limited
    • The Best Mobile Plans for your Business
    • The Best Bill Pay Plans in Ireland
    • The Best Pay as you go Plans in Ireland
    • Was the Three-O2 Merger a Mistake?
    • The State of Irish Mobile Networks: Summer 2018
    • Vodafone killed Cherry Points: A Mistake?
    • Here's how 5G will transform Ireland
    • Three just stormed past Eir
    • An analysis of Ireland's big three Mobile Networks
    • How Cheap can our Mobile Plans Get?
    • Net Neutrality: More than the Internet is at stake
    • Here's why Vodafone's pay as you go plans are the best out there.
    • iD Mobile's Demise is hardly a surprise
    • The Battle for 5G Supremacy
    • Unlimited Data is only as good as the Network it's on.
  • Reviews
    • eir Mobile Review: Not the Network to choose in 2018
    • Invoxia GPS Tracker Review: Elegance boasts Phenomenal Battery Life
    • Three Review: The Best Value Network in Ireland
    • Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset Review:
    • Vodafone TV Review: Redefining what we think of TV
    • Vodafone Mobile Broadband Review: Connecting the Disconnected
    • 3Plus Review: The Best Loyalty Program Out There
    • 3 Sim Only Review: World-Class Value
    • Tesco Mobile Review: The Best network for the Frugal
    • Three Review: All you can Eat Buffering
    • Vodafone Review: The Network to Beat
    • Meteor Review: Excellence Exemplified
    • Should Virgin Media be your next Mobile Network?
    • Samsung Galaxy S8: The Pinnacle of Smartphone Advancement
    • Huawei P10: The Best phone people don't know about
    • Vodafone Smart Platinum 7.
    • Vodafone Smart Prime 7.