Net neutrality
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What does net neutrality mean?

Net neutrality is often cited as one of the key issues that will shape the future of the internet.

The idea is that all internet data traffic should be treated equally, with no content provider able to gain an advantage over another.

It has high level backers including US President Barack Obama, and world wide web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

But the principle has been called into legal dispute, as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Comcast and Verizon, argue they need to charge some companies more to support a modern internet with congested traffic.

Facebook's recent initiative has also called into question the issue of net neutrality.

BBC News sets out to explain net neutrality in just over two minutes.

Video journalist: Dougal Shaw

  • 19 May 2015
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