Bill Overview
Title: Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act of 2022
Description: This bill expressly classifies broadband internet as a telecommunications service rather than an information service for purposes of regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. (Current law treats providers of telecommunications services as common carriers and subjects them to more stringent requirements.)
Sponsors: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6]
Target Audience
Population: People using broadband internet globally
Estimated Size: 285000000
- The bill focuses on the regulation of broadband internet services, which are used worldwide.
- It relates to net neutrality, a topic that affects internet service providers and users globally.
- The bill reclassifies broadband, impacting providers that operate in multiple countries, although U.S. legislation directly affects operations in the U.S.
- Global internet users might be indirectly impacted by changes in internet practices initiated in the U.S.
Reasoning
- The policy will primarily impact broadband users in the U.S., which is a large portion of the population due to the high internet penetration rate.
- Not all broadband users will be affected equally. Some may experience noticeable benefits, while others may see little to no difference.
- The budget constraints imply a focus on regulatory enforcement rather than direct subsidies or infrastructure expansion.
- Impacts can vary significantly based on existing service quality, internet usage patterns, and personal attitudes towards net neutrality.
- It's important to include individuals who use the internet for different reasons such as work, education, and leisure.
- Considering perspectives from urban, suburban, and rural users will aid in understanding varied impacts across different communities.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is crucial for preserving the open internet.
- Without net neutrality, my work could be significantly hampered by throttled connections or expensive fast lanes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could prevent larger companies from buying up internet real estate, which is vital for small businesses like mine.
- I support it because it keeps entrepreneurial space open.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Teacher (Rural Iowa)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Net neutrality ensures that educational content isn't deprioritized.
- I'm hopeful it could improve access to resources for rural communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about potential increases in streaming costs without this policy.
- Net neutrality is important to me as a consumer of digital media.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't fully understand the policy, but I trust it will keep things fair for consumers.
- As long as I can communicate with my family without issues, I'm satisfied.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Network Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns well with maintaining internet integrity.
- It can deter unfair prioritization tactics that could harm users.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Artist (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Artistic content should remain accessible without extra costs.
- This policy could help preserve that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
IT Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the technical advantages of the policy, but real-world impact varies.
- It requires careful implementation to benefit everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Health Professional (Detroit, MI)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Equal internet access is crucial for healthcare delivery.
- The policy might lead to more equitable service distribution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Freelance Writer (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to the internet shouldn't depend on pricing tiers.
- This policy is essential for those of us who depend on stable networks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The FCC's operational budget changes to accommodate regulatory enforcement.
- The net neutrality policy changes could lead to legal challenges from the industry that might incur further costs.
- Impact on internet service provider business models which could affect market competition and pricing for consumers.