Originally, I believed that the FCC could assure internet openness through a determination of “commercial reasonableness” under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. While a recent court decision seemed to draw a roadmap for using this approach, I became concerned that this relatively new concept might, down the road, be interpreted to mean what is reasonable for commercial interests, not consumers.
That is why I am proposing that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce open internet protections.
Using this 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.
Great news for Americans.
While it is a big step in acknowledging reality, I wouldn’t be all optimistic about it: be internet proclaimed basic utility, it would become more open to all sorts of regulations to protect laymen, which automatically becomes more important in the view of lawmakers one internet is considered essential. I wouldn’t be too amazed if this would facilitate installation of the anti-piracy, anti-porn and similar legal frameworks that may and up more screwing internet users then protecting them, just like the way it happened to several other basic utilities.
I hope future proves me wrong.
And I hope to grow wings. Want to bet on which one of us gets hope taken away first?
What exactly does it mean to block paid prioritization? I mean, if you prevent ISPs from deliberately blocking/throttling traffic, don’t you kind of block paid prioritization by default?
EDIT: I also wonder if, once these new rules are in place, the FCC can/will go after TWC for its obvious and intentional Youtube throttling …
Edited 2015-02-04 22:18 UTC
Here’s an explanation of what’s going on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxB8r8ls_xE
TYT is not a good source of analysis. (or anything for that matter unless you are into Democrat partisanship)
But that video did point out some details not many people seem to be considering, so it’s good as one of many inputs on your “things to consider” list.
Edited 2015-02-06 16:06 UTC
Worst news ever for the Intnernet, this will give the FCC censorship powers over the internet. The internet became great because of the decentralized nature, this power grab by te government will move it more towards a goverment controlled entity.
Or it won’t because the FCC will put a forbearance on that provision.
Oh, it will. If you can count on governments for two things, they are control and taxes. Anyone watching what the current administration in this country is doing (not the propaganda, but the real events) knows full well what’s about to happen.
You have it absolutely right. This is BAD for the internet.
Author claims ‘Great News for Americans’
As if America isn’t living now in the Obama-Biden White House PoliceState which even former East German Stasi Commanders state “Makes their’s look gradeschool in Comparison” and joining the legion in pointing out Obama’s PoliceState is in every shape and form a Stasi 2.0.
Handing further controls to the FCC over American’s Internet Connections, Use and Abilitys further hamstrings American Citizens Rights, Libertys, Freedoms and Privacys across the board.
Intelligent people need to wise up and oppose every goose stepping push by the Obama Administration and specifically the USA Gov to ever expand the fully existing Police State stripping the few remaining USA Constitutional Rights, Libertys and Freedoms that Americans still have in the so-called ‘Land of the Free’ under the rule of a ‘Democracy’.