What does 'net neutrality' require?

Treating all internet traffic equally, without favoring any, is what net neutrality requires. Under this principle, internet service providers must carry all lawful data on an equal footing, without blocking access to certain sites, deliberately slowing down particular services, or offering paid fast lanes letting companies pay extra for their traffic to move faster than everyone else's.

Offering faster speeds specifically to companies that pay providers more, and blocking websites simply because they use a lot of bandwidth, both describe exactly the kind of unequal treatment that net neutrality is meant to prevent, rather than anything the principle actually requires.

Supporters of net neutrality argue the rule matters most for smaller companies and new startups, since without it, a well-funded competitor could pay for preferential fast-lane treatment that a smaller rival simply couldn't afford, tilting the playing field before the smaller company even has a chance to compete on quality.