How will it keep the Internet open, fair and neutral?

The network operators have indicated that they intend to micro-manage the data that flows through their networks using technologies like deep packet inspection (DPI). DPI allows network operators to inspect packets of data and then decide how to treat that data based on their network requirements, customer needs and their profit objectives.

The proponents of DPI claim they not only can detect types of data but are even able to "reassemble e-mails as they are typed out by the user". This has obvious severe implications not only for our privacy but also for the very freedoms upon which democratic societies rest.

While the proponents of DPI talk-up their technology, it mostly relates to unencrypted traffic. Breaking down encrypted traffic is not as simple and requires far greater resources. Also, if ISPs and network operators start breaking open encrypted traffic what are the implications for online commerce? Will consumers be prepared to accept that their financial details, including credit card details, will be open for inspection by anyone and everyone as the data streams across the networks?

Encrypting our Internet access adds this extra cost dimension to the equation and ultimately will make the network operators realize the solution to managing bandwidth lies not in investing in regressive technologies, but new compression technologies and new ways of moving data.