FCC in 3 to 2 vote agrees to advance proposal for new Net Neutrality. So now the FCC is proposing new Internet rules that would make it illegal for broadband providers to block or slow down websites but allow them to strike deals with content companies for preferential treatment.
(Reuters) – U.S. telecommunications regulators on Thursday formally proposed new “net neutrality” rules that may let Internet service providers charge content companies for faster and more reliable delivery of their traffic to users.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has come under fire from consumer advocates and technology companies for proposing to allow some “commercially reasonable” deals in which content companies could pay broadband providers to prioritize traffic on their networks.
Wheeler’s two fellow Democrats at the FCC concurred with him for a 3-2 vote to advance the proposal and begin formally collecting public comment, though they expressed misgivings about the plan.
“I believe the process that got us to this rulemaking today is flawed. I would have preferred a delay. I think we moved too fast to be fair,” said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.
“The real call to action begins after the vote today,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. “This is your opportunity to formally make your points on the record. You have the ear of the entire FCC. The eyes of the world are on all of us.”
Critics worry the rules would create “fast lanes” for companies that pay up and slower traffic for others, although Wheeler has pledged to prevent “acts to divide the Internet between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots.’”
Read the full release here
Matt Cutts of Google put this on his Google + page just a little while ago:
Do you like the internet? Tell the FCC to protect it!
The FCC has proposed rules that would allow paid “fast lanes” on the internet. Many people (including me) not to mention hundreds of tech companies like Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, Yahoo–plus tons of startups–worry that the FCC’s proposed rules will break the internet in very bad ways.
So here’s where the internet needs you. If you feel strongly that the the internet need protection from paid fast lanes, join me in telling the FCC to protect the internet. It’s easy to do! Here’s how:
1. Go to http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list and look for docket number 14-28 (“Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet”) and click on 14-28.
2. Enter your name and address, and your comments. That’s it!
For example, I’ll be writing that “the FCC should protect net neutrality by reclassifying broadband providers as common carriers under Title II.”
But it literally takes under a minute to give your opinion to the FCC. Write whatever you feel, but if you like the internet and want it protected, you need to tell the FCC now. Right now, there’s 21,549 comments on the FCC’s proposed rules. I think there should be at least a hundred thousand comments from people on the web telling the FCC not to allow paid fast lanes on the net. Please tell the FCC what you think!
