Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Mobile
    • Networking

    FCC Proposal Angers Net Neutrality Proponents

    By
    Michelle Maisto
    -
    April 24, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has previously vowed to protect net neutrality, the principle that all traffic on the Internet should be treated equally. But in a new proposal of rules on the topic, following its courtroom defeat to Verizon in January, the FCC has positioned itself as more willing to compromise than intent to take a stand.

      While the new draft of the Open Internet Notice on Proposed Rulemaking prevents Internet service providers (ISPs) from slowing down traffic (such as those of services that compete with its own), it does allow companies to pay extra for a bit of a boost.

      FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, in an April 24 blog post, objected to unflattering early reports about what the new draft will include and clarified that it will propose:

      “That all ISPs must transparently disclose to their subscribers and users all relevant information as to the policies that govern their network;

      “That no legal content may be blocked; and

      “That ISPs may not act in a commercially unreasonable manner to harm the Internet, including favoring the traffic from an affiliated entity.”

      Wheeler added that allegations that the new rules will result in anti-competitive price increases for consumers is “unfounded,” and that the “‘commercially unreasonable’ test will protect … harm to competition and consumers stemming from abusive market activity.”

      Some backers of net neutrality disagree.

      “The FCC is inviting ISPs to pick winners and losers online. The very essence of a ‘commercial reasonableness’ standard is discrimination. And the core of net neutrality is non discrimination,” Michael Weinberg, vice president of Public Knowledge, a consumer advocacy group, said in an April 23 statement anticipating the announcement.

      Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron, in an April 24 statement, accused the FCC of “aiding and abetting” ISPs “in their efforts to destroy the open Internet.”

      Aaron continued, “Giving ISPs the green light to implement pay-for-priority schemes will be a disaster for startups, nonprofits and everyday Internet users who cannot afford these unnecessary tolls. These users will all be pushed onto the Internet dirt road, while deep-pocketed Internet companies enjoy the benefits of the newly created fast lanes.”

      Roots of the Debate

      In 2011, Verizon sued the FCC, challenging its Open Internet Order, which presents the tenet of net neutrality.

      FCC Proposal Angers Net Neutrality Proponents

      “Under this principle, consumers can make their own choices about what applications and services to use and are free to decide what lawful content they want to access, create or share with others. This openness promotes competition and enables investment and innovation,” the FCC wrote in an explanation of the Order on its site.

      But in the January ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found that because the FCC doesn’t classify broadband providers as “common carriers,” Verizon isn’t beholden to the anti-discrimination and anti-blocking rules in the Open Internet Order.”

      In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC was given the authority to regulate ISPs as either telecommunications services, which transmit data, or information services, which process data. It chose the latter, though information service companies are treated as common carriers—companies that, unlike private carriers, offer services for the public good, without discrimination.

      Following the ruling, many believed the FCC simply needed to change the designation.

      “The FCC must craft open Internet [protections] that are not full-fledged common carrier rules. Alternately, if the FCC needs broader authority, it can classify broadband as a title 2 common carrier service. Both of these are viable options,” Harold Feld, senior vice president Public Knowledge, said in a Jan. 14 statement.

      Michael Copps, a former FCC commissioner, released a statement the same day. “Without prompt action by the Commission to reclassify broadband,” Copps said, “this awful ruling will serve as a sorry memorial to the corporate abrogation of free speech.”

      Free Press’ Aaron, in his statement on April 24, also called for the FCC to classify ISPs as telecom carriers under Title II of the Communications Act.

      “This is not Net Neutrality,” wrote Aaron. “It’s an insult to those who care about preserving the open Internet to pretend otherwise. The FCC had an opportunity to reverse its failures and pursue real Net Neutrality by reclassifying broadband under the law. Instead, in a moment of political cowardice and extreme shortsightedness, it has chosen this convoluted path that won’t protect Internet users.”

      Follow Michelle Maisto on Twitter.

      Michelle Maisto
      Michelle Maisto has been covering the enterprise mobility space for a decade, beginning with Knowledge Management, Field Force Automation and eCRM, and most recently as the editor-in-chief of Mobile Enterprise magazine. She earned an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, and in her spare time obsesses about food. Her first book, The Gastronomy of Marriage, if forthcoming from Random House in September 2009.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×