All day Wednesday 10th September 2014 across the USA will be Internet slowdown day - where your favourite websites will show endless 'loading' icons.

You can expect to see this loading image, or a variation, on most all popular websites you visit:

(THIS IS NOT REAL ... the site is fine, your browser is fine.)

Fortunately, the Internet is not genuinely being slowed down. Instead, Internet slowdown day is a protest action which will feature painful infinitely looping images of a never-ending loading screen. All sites will still load at the same speed they do currently; the loading image is merely a looping image and is not genuinely loading anything.

Participating sites include Reddit, Etsy, Foursquare, Wordpress, Vimeo, Netflix and more. You may also find your favourite smartphone apps sending you push notifications about Internet slowdown day.

The campaign is detailed at battleforthenet.com where the like-minded may also find resources to add supportive icons to websites and blogs, along with forms to email US lawmakers, avatar icons for use on social sites, and more.

The protest centres around the US Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) on-going rulemaking relating to Internet principles and practices.

Proposed Internet changes plan for a tiered structure whereby providers can introduce 'fast lanes' for high-speed, high-quality browsing for those who will pay for it, the rest receiving a standard service.

This is not the same as people opting for a broadband service over a dial-up service, or for an ADSL2 service over ADSL1; under these proposals two individuals might have the exact same ISP and network connection but, all other things being equal, one pays a higher price for a better online experience and this alone is what makes the difference.

Some commentators note the Internet has not actually been somehow magically enhanced for that person, but rather the one not paying for the better service is being artificially slowed.

In documents leaked from the FCC this is referred to as permitting broadband operators to offer "paid prioritisation."

Those opposed to this controversial legislation state all Internet should be treated the same.

Such legislation can leave millions of people with very slow online access, hindering their access to information, employment and education opportunities, and other things. It also damages the business potential for companies which require quality bandwidth - Netflix being one specific example, and a company who is at the forefront of the Internet slowdown day cause.

Hence the loading imagery; Internet slowdown day won't actually slow anything down, but it will provide painful, even agonising, constant messages of what it would be like if your favourite web sites were all slowed down and you had to wait for content to be delivered.

While the decision to implement these changes are still being debated the ramifications are significant. They are not isolated to the US. If such legislation is enacted it sets a precedent for other countries. It also affects how international users might be able to interact with US-based web sites and online services, as they adapt to such changes.

Presently the legislation is in an open comment period, with submissions welcomed until September 15th before the matter will then be debated and ruled on by US congress.