FCC steps closer to net neutrality
ADOTAS – Despite a wave of lobbying from Internet service providers opposed to regulation, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted on Thursday to move forward with formalizing net neutrality guidelines.
The proposed rules would prevent broadband providers from blocking or slowing certain content. However, providers would be allowed to use “reasonable” network management to relieve net congestion and maintain good service.
Service providers, including AT&T and Verizon, argued that new regulations are unnecessary and threaten the growth of broadband Internet to all Americans, a goal of President Barack Obama. However, proponents counter that since the FCC deregulated network sharing rules in 2005, few options for broadband exist, leaving a lack of alternatives if those providers block or slow content.
In addition, other large Internet players like Google have put forth the argument that net neutrality guidelines are required to prevent providers from hobbling the sales of products on the Internet.
“Given the potentially huge consequences of having the open Internet diminished through inaction, the time is now to move forward with consideration of fair and reasonable rules of the road,” concluded FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
The next step is allowing public comment before the guidelines are finalized sometime next year. A court challenge is most likely — Comcast has brought a lawsuit questioning the FCC’s authority to enforce four informal principles of net neutrality issued in 2005.
However, wireless companies are the most likely to feel the brunt of the new regulations as mobile internet providers have not felt the same open Internet heat as other broadband companies.
In particular, the proposed guidelines currently would prohibit exclusive deals between manufacturers and providers — for example, the hunky-dory relationship between Apple and AT&T would be squashed.
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