FLASH: FCC Chair Announces Huge Win For All Internet Users In The USA With His Strong Support Of Net Neutrality

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on Wednesday proposed sweeping new federal rules to regulate the Internet like a public utility, a notion endorsed three months ago by President Obama.  The plan "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". 

Big ISP’s wanted to turn the Web into Cable TV like subscriptions

Big Telco’s (Verizon, AT&T) plus the GOP supported this TV kind of Internet

An FCC official said the rules would prohibit broadband service providers from blocking access to legal content, slowing delivery speed based on content or source, or favouring some content providers by giving them preferential delivery speeds.  The rules would apply equally to wired and wireless services, including mobile broadband used by smartphone and tablets.

The FCC chairman's approach is an endorsement of what has come to be known as "net neutrality."

Excerpts from Wheeler’s op-ed published in Wired yesterday
(italics and bold added by me)

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“[T]he time to settle the Net Neutrality question has arrived. This week, I will circulate to the members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules to preserve the internet as an open platform for innovation and free expression.

“Using [Title II] authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. I propose to fully apply—for the first time ever—those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. 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. …

“To preserve incentives for broadband operators to invest in their networks, my proposal will modernize Title II, tailoring it for the 21st century, in order to provide returns necessary to construct competitive networks. For example, there will be no rate regulation, no tariffs, no last-mile unbundling.

“The internet must be fast, fair and open. … The proposal I present to the commission will ensure the internet remains open, now and in the future, for all Americans.”

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On Capitol Hill, Republicans are still waging a last-ditch legislative effort to strip the FCC of the authority to enforce strong Internet protections.  However, Democrats strongly support net neutrality so even with their new majorities the GOP will be unable to reach the 60 votes required to overcome a Democratic filibuster.  How ironic that the McConnell ‘Party of No” is now being throttled by the filibuster tactic they employed repeatedly against President Obama.  Karma is a good thing!

Why Is Net Neutrality So Important?

1. A free and open Internet is the single greatest technology of our time and control should never be at the mercy of giant corporations like Verizon, AT&T and Comcast etc.

2. A free and open Internet stimulates ISP competition
3. A free and open Internet helps prevent unfair pricing practices
4. A free and open Internet promotes innovation
5. A free and open Internet promotes the spread of ideas
6. A free and open Internet drives entrepreneurs to do better
7. A free and open Internet protects Freedom of Speech

The Politics of Net Neutrality

President Obama and Democrats support the FCC Chairman’s decision

Republicans, naturally, support big business over the interests of citizens

Chairman Wheeler In a Wired op-ed, Wheeler said he is proposing the FCC use its authority under Title II of the Communications Act to protect consumer broadband Internet. This move will allow the FCC to stop Internet service providers from charging content providers like Netflix more money for reliable Internet access.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler comes down on side of consumers

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