Two Tier Internet on the Cards?

Internet search giants Google and leading US broadband provider Verizon are in talks regarding the future of the internet.

Currently, under a system called “Net Neutrality”, all websites are treated equally when it comes to content being shown. However, campaigners fear that Google and Verizon will broker a deal that will split the internet in two.

The claims are as follows:

Upper Tier

The upper tier will be comprised of the websites that are paying Google and Verizon. They’ll benefit from faster loading times, more visibility and increased traffic.

Lower Tier

The lower tier will consist of everyone else. They’ll get nothing. Load times will slow to a crawl, traffic streams will drop to a trickle and the Internet as we know it will wither. This is widely regarded as a bad thing.

Of course, Google have re-affirmed their commitment to net neutrality, and have dismissed the claims as scaremongering. There’s sure to be another twist in this tale, so make sure to check back with The FirstFound Blog for the latest news as we hear it.