Chances are you’ve heard about net neutrality by now, but you may not know what the internet would be like without it. Net neutrality is essential to a free and open internet. The Federal Communications Commission has already received over 20 million public comments regarding the topic. If net neutrality is lost, you can expect to see many changes to your internet experience. Here are a few of them.

Limited Sites. Under net neutrality, the everyday internet user can freely access websites that include everything from CNN to Instagram to Google. Telecom companies currently can’t limit the websites you visit, but that soon may change. Without net neutrality, companies will be allowed to act as internet gatekeepers, blocking specific content from users. This has brought about a larger discussion over the potential repercussions of blocking out the freedom of speech and the press. With the ability to block websites the company owners disagree with, the consumer could have a limited number of resources, leading to a warped idea of the truth. At the least, this would prove to be an inconvenience to internet users. At the most, this could skew someone’s viewpoint on an entire subject.

Slower Speeds. Net neutrality helps to stop internet service providers, or ISPs, from slowing down internet speeds either entirely or to certain web addresses. Without it, companies can separate the internet into fast and slow lanes, allowing those who are able to pay for it to obtain much faster internet speeds than the typical online user. Without their bill increasing, the everyday person could see much slower internet speeds, limiting their ability to move around the internet freely without waiting for long periods of time. If a company disagrees with a certain company or web page, it would have the ability to slow down the speed of the individual website. Whether you’re doing research for a paper or just browsing YouTube, chances are it’ll take you longer to view your content, unless you are willing to pay more.

Higher Bills. To avoid the aforementioned limited websites and slower speeds, there is only one option: pay more. If net neutrality is repealed, companies have the option of bundling websites together in packages and selling access to them at an additional price. For example, The New York Times, The Washington Post and MSNBC may have their web pages grouped together in a news option for an additional fee per month. Access to even the most basic sites such as Google or Bing could cost you extra, both limiting your navigation around the internet and forcing you to pay more if you want to maintain your current internet standing.

Net neutrality makes ISPs treat digital data equally and keep it open to consumers, as well as not create additional fees to view content. Without it, you will definitely see a change in your internet service. It isn’t clear yet whether this change will be major or not, but it is sure to draw your notice either way.