Stronger regulations and protection for open Internet
Net neutrality advocates celebrated a victory on Wednesday, Feb. 4 with promises of stronger federal authority to enforce and protect open broadband Internet.
Under new rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission this week, internet service providers, including those selling wireless connections, would be prohibited from slowing down or speeding up web traffic—subjecting the broadband industry to unprecedented regulation.
In an op-ed to Wired magazine posted on the website, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said his plan would regulate Internet service much like phone service or any other public utility, by applying Title II of the 1934 Communications Act. Wheeler said he would not use the new regulations to tell broadband providers how much to charge customers or to impose tariffs on the service.
In other words, the move would allow the FCC to stop Internet service providers from charging content providers (such as Netflix) more money for reliable Internet access. Wheeler said that his “enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services.”
“My proposal assures the rights of Internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone’s permission,” Wheeler wrote in his post.
“Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open Internet protections ever proposed by the FCC.”
The broadband industry has fought strongly against using Title II, contending that it would only be a matter of time before the FCC’s rules grow more stringent and discourage business investment in upgrading their networks.
Major cable companies which supply much of the nation’s broadband have said they would likely sue in court, arguing that the FCC is “overreaching in its authority.” Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are also waging legislative efforts to strip the FCC of its regulation power.
Net neutrality advocates are also watching to see whether the FCC proposal will provide any additional loopholes for telecommunications and cable companies—although Wheeler’s announcement seems to indicate that they will get the bright-line regulations they have been asking for.
“We look forward to seeing the exact details of the FCC’s rules,” said David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress, an Internet activist group. “All indications point to this announcement as reassuring for the future of the Internet, free speech and American innovation.”
The Greenlining Institute also applauded the FCC’s proposed protections, as the group has been protecting low-income customers and communities from discrimination by providers.
“This is great news for all consumers, particularly for communities of color and low-income Americans, who would have the most to lose without strong action to prevent digital redlining,” Stephanie Chen, energy and telecommunications policy director for Greenlining said in a statement.
Wheeler’s plan is an aggressive leap in Internet regulation in an industry that has typically seen very little government oversight. President Barack Obama, on board with the same ideas, has already called on the FCC to reclassify and apply Title II.
Broadband consumer advocates fighting for more stringent rules was a way of keeping the Internet free and open, while critics said tying the hands of industry would curb innovation and investment.
FCC commissioners will vote on Feb. 26 on the proposal.
(With reports from Associated Press, Huffington Post, Wired.com)
