Historically we've had real neutrality without any regulation. In the last few years the local monopolies have made a number of moves to turn that neutrality off, and in some cases there have been serious abuses; and they've also started trying to persuade politicians that neutrality is a bad idea. Regulation that maintains the status quo of network neutrality is going to be a lot easier to achieve than regulation repeal to strip local phone and cable providers of their legal regulated monopolies.
...is almost always a bad idea. We need new services, new investment, new entrants.
Opnnness can defend itself -- it got this far. If any of the alleged 'abuses' truly became 'serious' that would give a marketing coup to competitors and spur to new entrants.
The idea that regulating the existing monopolies is 'easier to achieve' than true competition is a self-fulfilling prophecy. New regulations entrench present-day services, and flatter regulators into thinking only they, and not competition, can protect customers.
If a shortage of competition is the real problem -- and it is -- policies should address that, not enshrine the current lack of competition in regulations.
