It’s widely recognized that a founding principle of the Internet is free and open access to information by all users. But on Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted to move forward with a proposal to allow Internet Service Providers, like Comcast and Verizon, to charge websites for higher quality and faster delivery of their products.

This is otherwise known as the “fast lane” -- because by paying for this service, a company like Netflix, could improve the quality and speed of their entertainment stream to consumers.

But, to offsets costs, might such a large company ping consumers with higher costs to pay for the service? Is it possible small companies, unable to afford “fast lane” costs, will be relegated to the “slow lane”? Could companies, “slow laned”, eventually be blocked from access? Could this then lead to the obsolescence of those companies?

In this kind of climate do start-ups and non-profits stand an Internet chance? Does creating a more elite access to content mean the Internet is no longer free and open? How far could these kinds of restrictions to information go?

Guests:

Brian Fung, Technology Reporter at the Washington Post 

Michael Weinberg, Vice President of Public Knowledge, a D.C.-based non-profit organization focused on preserving the openness of the Internet.

Jeffrey Eisenach, Director of the Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy at the American Enterprise Institute - a think tank focus on free-market principles