The Economist takes a bleak look at the internet's prospects, seeing it fracturing because of national and language differences, and anti-competitive forces among service providers link here. It seems that there is little individual users can do about the first two, as the likes of China puts up barriers in the national defense interest or to reflect national differences in cultural norms on pornography, for example.

But we can do something about the drive to carve up the internet by patented technology or by rules that cement the powerful ISPs in place against possible competition by not mandating net neutrality or not mandating that big ISPs offer small ones open access to their networks at wholesale rates to restore competition. Indeed, based on the experience of other countries with the latter rule, it would be the best alternative.

In the end, the bleak look is softened by The Economist's usual on-the-one-hand-and-on-the-other outlook such as, 'Yet predictions are hazardous, particularly in IT." I wouldn't hold my breath unless the consumer is heard and is listened to.