The importance of Net Neutrality to the digital economy

Although there is no universal, widely accepted definition of Net Neutrality, a fundamental premise of a neutral network is that broadband providers should not discriminate against or provide preferential access to lawful content based on that contents source, destination, or ownership. This paper discusses some of the dangers associated with the abandonment of the foundational principles of the Internet as we know it today openness, interoperability, and a culture of participation and argues that we need to preserve Net Neutrality in Australia in order to protect the growing digital economy. Copyright 2009 Katrina Johnson. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.