The net neutrality debate is often framed as pitting consumers against Internet Service Providers, but as demonstrators gathered on Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) doorstep recently to protest its proposed deal with Verizon (NYSE: VZ), industry experts weighed in on why business users should take an interest in this arcane regulatory matter. 

Fred Wilson argues in a post at CNNMoney that entrepreneurs should support net neutrality because it would maintain the ecosystem responsible for enormous innovation in web-based businesses. Taking the opposing position are Robert E. Litan and Hal J. Singer, in a post at HarvardBusinessReview.

Wilson argues that a simple, non-discrimination rule preventing ISPs from giving preference to any one application or content would basically codify the system we have in place. It is this framework that has enabled enormous innovation in web-based businesses, and it doesn't give ISPs an opportunity to game the system, in Wilson's view.

In Litan and Singer's view, enterprises should oppose net neutrality for two reasons. First, if regulation is established, ISPs could stop investing in their networks--something they have made veiled threats about over the years. Second, if ISPs were allowed to discriminate and give businesses the opportunity to buy priority delivery, innovation could benefit, they argue. Higher-performing real-time applications could be enabled.

For more:
- see Fred Wilson's post at CNNMoney
- see Litan and Singer's post at HarvardBusinessReview

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