Net neutrality is dead. Here's what that means.

Your net neutrality questions, answered

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(Image credit: Illustration by Lauren Hansen)

Net neutrality will die today. But what, exactly, will we be losing?

Net neutrality is the set of rules that tell internet service providers (ISPs) — think AT&T, Comcast, or Verizon — that they have to treat all internet traffic equally. ISPs can only pump so much data through their proverbial pipes at a given time. Net neutrality forces them to give all websites, content, and services equal weight in distributing access to their pipes. Without net neutrality, ISPs will be able to pick and choose who and what they give full speed to, and who and what they throttle way back.

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Jeff Spross

Jeff Spross was the economics and business correspondent at TheWeek.com. He was previously a reporter at ThinkProgress.