The debate over the extent of regulation needed over Internet provider

Question

The debate over the extent of regulation needed over Internet providers became more heated when, in 2005, the FCC determined that DSL services (technologies that use local telephone networks to transmit digital data) would no longer be controlled by common carrier regulations, but by "net neutrality principles." Net neutrality is a phrase that once applied to technical matters regarding the preference given to data applications over voice and video applications on the Internet, but is now used more broadly to stand for a general evenhandedness when it comes to how network operators (telecommunication firms and cable companies) interact with the content providers who use the networks. Most people take for granted that the network operators have no reason to favor one content provider or Web site over another. If only for practical reasons, however, discrimination of this sort can take place. In order to manage the limited amount of available bandwidth, an operator might slow down a site that uses "too much" bandwidth. Proponents of net neutrality believe that this is unfair, and that limiting bandwidth can be accomplished on the user side, as is done in Australia, without directly punishing the provider.

Interestingly, the battle cry of innovation is heard from both proponents and opponents of net neutrality. Proponents believe that favoring certain applications can slow the adoption of newer, better ones. Even the World Wide Web itself might have been adopted sooner if not for the preference shown for Gopher, a network protocol that preceded the Web. Opponents claim that discrimination of this sort is unavoidable but benign; some packets of information have different latency requirements and must therefore be handled differently. The way to spur innovation, they say, is to minimize government interference, let telecoms and cable companies do what they do best—provide improved products at competitive prices—and let the market separate the winners from the losers.

Currently, the FCC can levy substantial fines for the abuse of the net neutrality principles. It remains to be seen whether the threat of these fines will be enough to ensure that the Internet will be perceived as a level playing field for providers and end users alike.   1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to _______.

A. argue for the expected effectiveness of a change in how the Internet is regulated
B. discuss some of the issues surrounding a controversial subject
C. elaborate on the technical matters relating to an issue that affects telecommunication companies
D. speculate on the future of an industry
E. summarize the legal arguments surrounding a hotly debated topic

2 
 2. According to the passage, proponents of net neutrality _______.

A. want network providers to give preference to data applications
B. were opposed to the FCC ruling that put an end to DSL services being controlled by common carrier regulations
C. have been successful in affecting policy in Australia
D. believe that it is acceptable to place limits on band width
E. are currently in favor of increasing regulatory limits on content providers

3 
 3. According to the passage, some people believe that latency requirements _______.

A. tend to affect data applications more than video applications
B. were not an issue with Gopher
C. are an excuse for bandwidth discrimination
D. can slow innovation
E. are an unnecessary obstacle to making the Internet a level playing field

4 
 4. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward the FCC’s decision?

A. Alarmed, but open-minded
B. Distrustful of both sides of the issue
C. Optimistic regarding the intent of the decision
D. Somewhat enthusiastic
E. Generally objective, though cautious

anairamitch1804 · Accepted Answer

The key thing to realize here is that supporters of net neutrality do not want network operators to dictate terms to content providers. Look at the last two sentences of the first paragraph: In order to manage the limited amount of available bandwidth, an operator might slow down a site that uses "too much" bandwidth. Proponents of net neutrality believe that this is unfair, and that limiting bandwidth can be accomplished on the user side, as is done in Australia, without directly punishing the provider.

You saw, correctly, that the first sentence reveals that net neutrality supporters do not want operators to be able to limit available bandwidth. But the seconds sentence reveals that they believe that limiting bandwidth can be achieved in another way:limiting bandwidth can be accomplished on the user side... So they aren't opposed to limited bandwidth, per se, they're just opposed to operators doing the limiting. Apparently, so long as limited bandwidth is imposed on the user side, they're fine with it.

ProblemChild · Answer

Bumping an old topic but hopefully someone will help out...

Can someone please explain why 2nd question OA is D? My view: the net neutrality means the ISP is not allowed to do bandwidth balancing by favouring one content over the other. How could the proponents than be for placing limits on bandwidth?

thanks!

KM666 · Answer

I can't understand why the answer to question 3 is C... I'd really appreciate an explanation... 
TIA

lehieu30794 · Answer

Can somebody explain Q1? Why B? 
B says the paragraph discuss some ISSUES but what are the issues? The paragraph is mainly about the arguments between proponents and opponents of Net Neutrality Principles

anairamitch1804 · Answer

The bandwidth discrimination alluded to in answer choice C is referenced in this line: Opponents claim that discrimination of this sort is unavoidable but benign; some packets of information have different latency requirements and must therefore be handled differently.

anairamitch1804 · Answer

The arugment is based on a topic where proponents and opponents are arguing over a change, there are no legal arguments, there is no discussion of any kind of effectiveness, by which we can safely eliminate options A and E.Technical matters and future of a particular industry are OOS as they are not discussed anywhere in paasage.So, by POE answer is B.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Q4: Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward the FCC’s decision?

Explanation

The author describes the issue in objective terms, though the last sentence ( “It remains to be seen...” ) shows some caution.

(A):  The author never seems alarmed. 
 (B):  The author never expresses distrust. 
 (C):  At no point is optimism expressed. 
 (D):  The author never uses any enthusiastic terms.

Answer: E

Hope it helps

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Q3 :According to the passage, some people believe that latency requirements _______.

Explanation

The  2nd paragraph  states that  “Opponents claim that discrimination of this sort is unavoidable”  in regard to latency requirements.

(A):  Latency requirements were not related to these applications in the passage. 
 (B):  Thepassage does not give any information to make a determination on the relevance of latency requirements to Gopher. 
 (D):  No connection was made between latency and innovation. 
 (E):  The passage actually states that discrimination due to latency is  “unavoidable.”

Answer: C

Hope it helps

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

The debate over the extent of regulation needed over Internet provider

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The debate over the extent of regulation needed over Internet provider

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards