Actually, no, net neutrality would not eliminate QoS, fair queueing or firewalls. The Telcos wouldn't be able to discriminate between customers, but they could still give interactive and video conferencing packets a higher priority than bulk file transfers.

Basically, net neutrality is what we have now, just codified into law.

Here's what Congressman Boucher, a supporter of net neutrality, said about QoS:

Consistent with these rules, a broadband provider could prioritize a category of its own bits, such as video, if it also prioritized all video bits traveling over its pipes at no cost to other service providers. Internet providers could also take reasonable and nondiscriminatory steps to manage their networks for technical efficiency, to protect network security, and to prevent illegal activity.

Net neutrality may have lost in the House, but it's not too late to stop this. If you're a US citizen, call your senators. Now.

--b9