Originally Posted by kane

This will be a gross over-simplification but here is what people are upset about:

Back in 2004, the FCC set forth principles that claimed the internet should maintain network freedom. It said users should be allowed to access any legal content on it, run any application, access it with any device, and have access to info on service plans. Over the years some companies have tested that. For example, Comcast was found to be blocking and/or delaying BitTorrent uploads. there were reports of ISPs throttling customers who shouldn't be getting throttled etc. So, fights between Comcast and the FCC started. Eventually, this led to the Obama administration passing laws to protect network freedom and it is that which was just overturned.

So, what does this mean for regular people? Could be nothing. The ISPs have said they won't do anything different, but they spent millions trying to get this overturned. Companies don't spend millions to change rules they intend to still keep following. Maybe it will turn out to be nothing. Maybe they will throttle and block access to some sites. What many people think may happen is eventually internet access will look like cable TV. You pay a flat fee for access then if you want access to sites likes Netflix and Hulu you have to pay more (just to get to those sites you will still need to pay the site's fee as well). If you want to play online games it is another free. Sports is another fee and so on.

As for competition stopping this, something like 40% of the country has two or fewer options when it comes to ISPs and around 50 million people only have one choice so there isn't a whole lot of competition.

It could end up being a whole lot of nothing, but many companies were caught already violating the net neutrality rules when they were still in place. I have no reason to think they won't ramp that up once there are no rules.