Network neutrality is the view that all traffic on the internet should be “treated equally”. That means that access to all websites, web content and other internet platforms is the same for all internet users and only restricted by their hardware or software capabilities (i.e. connection speeds).
It’s a bit like having a subscription to satellite/cable television and having the same services regardless of which company you subscribe to.
Obviously ISPs own the infrastructure that carry the internet, so any restriction on what they can and cannot do with it could be considered a violation of their property rights.
With the internet ever expanding, companies like Skype have been accused of “freeloading” on infrastructure and bandwidth that ISPs pay for, construct or maintain. ISPs and other telecoms companies believe that offering tiered/prioritised access would enable them to invest more in their infrastructure through higher charges to preferential users.
There’s also the argument that net neutrality laws would provide another “red tape” burden that would stifle innovation and competition.
