net neutrality

noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of net neutrality

: the idea, principle, or requirement that Internet service providers should or must treat all Internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination

… a philosophical contest that's being fought under the banner of "net neutrality," a slogan that inspires rhetorical devotion but eludes precise definition. Broadly, it means everything on the Internet should be equally accessible—that the Internet should be a place where great ideas compete on equal terms with big money.
—Sarah Rabil

Recent Examples of net neutrality from the Web

The net neutrality repeal is scheduled to go into effect April 23.

— benny evangelista, San Francisco Chronicle, "California net neutrality bill poised to pass state senate committee," 17 Apr. 2018
Netflix ultimately agreed to pay Comcast, but the debate played a key role in shaping the government's net neutrality rules.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Now even Comcast wants to Netflix and chill," 13 Apr. 2018
While Netflix ultimately agreed to pay Comcast, the debate played a key role in shaping the government's net neutrality rules.

— brian fung, chicagotribune.com, "Comcast says customers can soon add Netflix subscription with bundle," 13 Apr. 2018
But his office has repeatedly refused to release records related to controversial topics, such as problems in the FCC's system for accepting public comments on the net neutrality repeal.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "Ajit Pai’s “Harlem Shake” video preparations must remain secret, FCC says," 6 Apr. 2018
In December, the day before the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal its net neutrality rules, the agency’s chairman, Ajit Pai, appeared in a video for conservative news website The Daily Caller.

— ben collins /, NBC News, "FCC blocks reveal of emails with conservative news site about 'Harlem Shake' net neutrality video," 5 Apr. 2018
Washington recently became the first state to pass its own net neutrality rules.

— annie zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska lawmakers, following other states, consider bills to keep net neutrality," 16 Mar. 2018
The net neutrality repeal is currently scheduled for publication tomorrow, February 22nd, and will formally take effect 60 days later, April 23rd.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "The Final Countdown on Net Neutrality Is About to Begin," 21 Feb. 2018
More: How to tell if net neutrality repeal is why your Internet is slower Location, location, location The next step is to ensure your router, which gives you your wireless Internet, is in an optimal spot in your home.

— marc saltzman, USA TODAY, "Why you should never hide your router in a closet: 5 steps to speed up your slow Wi-Fi," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'net neutrality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.