Evolution and a prioritized internet
The network providers say that a vibrant market will evolve if we just let them prioritize their networks.
But evolution requires feedback. The problem with the AT&T (say) model is that it controls an essential feedback mechanism of the network, and makes real feedback impossible.
Here's why I think this is true. As things stand now, if a video provider's servers are getting overloaded, or if site visitors are dropping off midstream, they'll know - and they'll be able to go to middlemen (like Akamai) to become closer to their users. Akamai, in turn, can react on a dime to what's going on with the video provider's servers. Similarly, if a site gets no traffic, it will disappear (effectively) — dying for lack of attention.
With a prioritized internet, the Akamai role will be played by the network provider itself. The network provider will be selling, in advance, prioritization services. Its customers for these services might be popular or might die absent prioritized packets, but they'll never know. Services that might die will just be able to pay for priority, even though on a level playing field (the cruel fields of evolution) they wouldn't be able to attract attention. And services that might be popular won't be able to obtain for themselves better service than the network provider decides to provide. Most importantly, the network provider will be jury, judge, and parole officer for all prioritization, and will never be a perfect conduit for the feedback that user attention would otherwise provide.
You might say, But people pay for attention all the time! What's the big deal? People make deals and hire publicists so they'll be found! Why is is so different to pay a network provider?
The difference here is that there is no chance that the network providers' responses to user feedback/reactions will be as nuanced as those of individual autonomous reactions to feedback. We'll have a system that reaches whatever equilibrium the network provider decides is appropriate. That's not evolution. That system will amplify, distort, and punish in ways that a truly competitive, decentralized market for attention wouldn't.