While health IT solutions are gaining traction, the debate about whether to charge users for faster Internet speeds could obstruct progress in the healthcare ecosystem. As the net neutrality debate rolls on, a recent 1to1 Media article by senior writer Judith Aquino explored what’s at stake for healthcare providers, patients, and vendors.

“Network neutrality puts forth the idea that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not be allowed to degrade access to certain websites or services, or create a ‘fast lane’ that allows content favored by the ISP to load more quickly than other content,” wrote Ms. Aquino.

The article featured Bioscape Digital, as an example of a tech company that is examining net neutrality’s impact on their business. Stuart Bracken, CEO and co-founder of Bioscape Digital, is tracking the development of the net neutrality debate and gave Ms. Aquino his thoughts on the issue.

“Bioscape’s contract with customers includes service level agreements that mandate the speed and quality at which our company delivers its platform” said Bracken. Changing the Internet’s regulation structure could “adversely affect our ability to deliver our platform, though only to a small degree,” Bracken maintains.  The platform’s core content comes pre-installed on the device, so the negative impact would mainly be felt in the company’s ability to quickly provide software updates.

Relying on offline content is not an ideal business and Bracken is hopeful that a competitor will develop a solution that provides unfettered access to the Internet, concluded Ms. Aquino. “My personal belief is the free market results in the most consistent, best delivery of technologies,” Bracken says. “But we do have contingencies in place to ensure we are able to deliver the best service possible to our customers.”

To read the full 1to1 Media article by Judith Aquino, please click here.

To learn more about 1to1 Media, please click here.