All that net neutrality does is change who benefits.  It is argued that the consumer benefits, but here’s a case in point to illustrate why that isn’t so.  Granted this is a specific case, but it exposes the mentality with which the concept is being pursued.  How long will it be before the FCC finds grounds to prevent anyone from charging for tethering.  That will mean a serious jump in data traffic on mobile networks, which will increase the cost of maintaining those networks.  If the mobile carriers cannot charge the users of this function for the additional data they consume, then they will have to raise the rates for all of us.  Thus we will all be paying for service that most of us have no need to use.  If there is no additional charge for it, more of us will use it, driving data usage even higher and making it cost more.  Hey Big Brother, hands off!  If I need tethering, I’ll pay for it.

Verizon to pay $1.25M FCC fine; forced to allow tethering apps | Politics and Law – CNET News

Verizon Wireless is no longer allowed to block apps that allow people to use their 4G LTE smartphones as Wi-Fi hotspots. And the carrier will pay the Federal Communications Commission a $1.25 million fine, the government agency said Tuesday.

The FCC has been investigating Verizon’s business practices for the last 10 months to make sure that its 4G LTE service complies with so-called open access rules that were established as part of the 700 MHz spectrum auction in 2008. Verizon is using this spectrum to offer its 4G LTE service.