Net neutrality helps the internet grow by being a launching pad for new web services

Youtube, Netflix, Skype, and many other popular sites have one key aspect in common: They were all given an equal playing field by internet providers and all given the same opportunity for growth. Net neutrality is the idea that all content on the internet is treated equally. Major internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T cannot favor some content over others and place them in the “digital fast lanes”. Protection of net neutrality ensures that certain websites, content, and streaming services are not made available more quickly to consumers over others. Net neutrality is crucial for the expansion and growth of the internet. If only established sites and streaming services are made available at faster speeds or are overwhelmingly "enforced" by internet providers, then most startup sites will never garner attention from viewers. If internet providers were given complete control over which data they can place in the fast lanes and which ones they can discriminate against by placing in the slow lanes, then it is entirely predictable that most startups will be placed in the slow lanes. In the long run, this is not only harmful to startups but to the internet itself. The internet relies entirely on innovation. Consumers are increasingly drawn to sites that provide them with something different than what they already have. However, if net neutrality is repealed, then only major, well-established sites would be favored. The internet would lose its star quality of innovation. As consumers become tired of these overly favored sites, it will also stop growing and lose many once faithful customers.