Activist groups and internet companies from Google to Facebook and Netflix united to defend net neutrality Wednesday from a rollback of protections proposed by the Federal Communications Commission. But what exactly is net neutrality, and why are some of the biggest companies in the world trying to protect it?

Here's what you need to know:

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is the idea that the web is open to everyone, meaning that internet service providers can't block content or intentionally slow down load times for particular websites. The principle, which was initially approved by the FCC in 2010, essentially states that web access is a human right that should be available for all.

Why would internet service providers want to change that?

Because ISPs like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T could make a substantial profit by charging users to access certain websites or by charging extra for "fast lanes" that allow internet companies willing to pay to bypass slower bandwidth.

What could happen if ISPs got their way?

The general fear from advocates of net neutrality is that ISPs could fracture the web into two different internets — one faster version for the major companies who could afford to pay fast lane fees, and slower version for everyone else. Proponents additionally argue that rolling back net neutrality could lead to an increase in internet bills for everyday web users and dent the innovation that can sprout from an open, available web — smaller startups with new ideas might not be able to afford the ISP fees.

But those who support the FCC's rollbacks believe that an excess of data from companies like Netflix and YouTube are slowing down the overall functionality of the internet. Charging fees to the biggest bandwidth-users could lead to a more efficient and swift connection. The end of net neutrality could also halt the illegal downloading of content and media on sites like BitTorrent.

The net neutrality debate has been ongoing since at least 2010 — why is it back in the spotlight?

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointee of President Donald Trump, is actively seeking to repeal the current rules in place that protect net neutrality. In May, the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality guidelines. The decision will require another vote later this year, but the general consensus is that the future of net neutrality is not looking good — at all. In response, those aforementioned activist groups and internet companies teamed up to organize an "Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality" on Wednesday.

So who is participating in that day of action?

To name a few: Google, Facebook, the American Civil Liberties Union, Reddit, Amazon, Airbnb, Twitter, Mozilla, Netflix, Vimeo, Spotify, Dropbox, Expedia, a handful of Congress and Senator members, and many other people and groups.

Basically, any company that primarily conducts its business via the internet is likely going to support net neutrality. Without it in place, they stand to get hit with fast lane fees and, if they can't afford to pay them, lose customers due to reduced bandwidth speeds.

上周三，维权团体以及谷歌、Facebook和Netflix等一众互联网公司联手维护网络中立性，反对美国联邦通信委员会取消相关保护措施的提议。但网络中立性到底是什么？世界上一些最大的公司又为什么要保护它呢？

以下是大家需要了解的东西。

何为网络中立性？

网络中立性是指网络向所有人开放，也就是说，互联网服务提供商不能阻拦内容或故意延长某些网站的页面加载时间。联邦通信委员会最初于2010年批准了这项原则，其本质就是宣布上网是所有人应有的权利。

互联网服务提供商为什么想改变它？

因为在用户要进入某些网站时向他们收费，或者向互联网公司收取用于躲开较慢网速的“快速通道”费可以让Comcast、威瑞森和美国电话电报等ISP大赚一笔。

ISP如愿以偿会出现什么情况？

网络中立性支持者普遍担心的是ISP可能把互联网一分为二，一个是拿得出快速通道费的大公司使用的较快网络，另一个则是所有人使用的较慢网络。他们还指出，取消网络中立性可能提高所有网络用户的上网成本，并且会影响开放、便利的网络环境培育出的创新，因为有创意但规模较小的初创公司或许无法负担ISP费用。

但支持联邦通信委员会废止网络中立性原则的人认为，来自Netflix和YouTube等公司的数据过多，造成互联网整体运转速度下降。对带宽用量最多的用户收取费用有望提高网络效率和速度。取消网络中立性还可以阻止从BitTorrent等网站非法下载内容和媒体的行为。

网络中立性之争至少从2010年就开始了，它为什么又成了焦点呢？

唐纳德·特朗普总统任命的联邦通信委员会主席、共和党人阿吉特·派正在积极行动，想推翻保护网络中立性的现行规定。今年5月，该委员会投票决定推翻网络中立性指导原则。为此，它需要在今年晚些时候再次进行投票，而市场普遍认为网络中立性的前途看来不妙，而且是非常不妙。因此，上述维权团体以及互联网公司才共同将周三定为“挽救网络中立性行动互联网日”。

那么谁参加了当天的活动呢？

参加者包括谷歌、Facebook、美国公民自由联盟、Reddit、亚马逊、爱彼迎、推特、Mozilla、Netflix、Vimeo、Spotify、Dropbox、Expedia、几位众议员和参议员以及诸多其他人士和团体。

基本上，所有主要通过互联网来开展业务的公司都可能支持网络中立性。没有了这项原则，它们就会受到快速通道费的冲击；如果付不起这笔费用，它们就可能因为网速变慢而失去用户。（财富中文网）

译者：Charlie

审稿：夏林