This term needs explanation so we know what we are talking
about. Net Neutrality is the term being
used in Congress and FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Here’s how
Reuters defined the issue on 6/16/14:
“Net neutrality is a principle that says Internet service providers
should treat all traffic on their network equally. That means companies like
Comcast Corp or Verizon Communications Inc should not block or slow down access
to any website or content on the Web – for instance, to benefit their own
services over those competitors.
“The FCC, which regulates telephone and cable companies that provide
broadband service in the United States, has several times adopted rules aimed
at ensuring Internet providers abide by the net neutrality principle. In 2010,
FCC passed an order that prohibited Internet providers from blocking traffic.
It allowed ‘commercially reasonable’ discrimination of traffic, but rejected
potential ‘pay-for-priority’ deals that may have allowed content companies to
pay for faster delivery of their traffic.
“But a US
“Comcast is the only Internet provider that has to abide by the older
version of those rules until 2018, because of a condition placed on its
acquisition of NBC Universal. All other major Internet providers have said they
support an open Internet.
“Why did the court reject the rules? In setting the 2010 rules, the FCC
treated Internet providers like utilities similar to telephone companies, which
are more heavily regulated. The US
“What is the FCC’s new plan? The court did affirm the FCC’s authority
to regulate broadband, indicating that the agency could use another section of
the communications law to restore some of the rules. Based on that guidance,
the FCC has proposed new rules that would ban Internet providers from blocking
users’ access to websites or applications and would require them to disclose
exactly how they manage traffic on their networks.
Under the proposal some ‘commercially reasonable’ deals to give
priority to certain Web traffic may be allowed, although the FCC also seeks
comment on whether ‘some or all’ pay-for-priority deals should be presumed
illegal.
“The proposal also asks questions about potentially reclassifying
broadband providers and how the FCC may address so-called ‘interconnection’
deals that are currently outside the scope of net neutrality rules, but which
have been in spotlight in Netflix Corp’s recent spat with Comcast and Verizon.
“Why are consumer advocates opposed? Consumer advocates say Wheeler’s
proposal would create ‘fast lanes’ for companies willing to pay while leaving start-ups and others behind, which would potentially harm competition. More than
100 technology companies including Google Inc, Facebook Inc and Amazon.com Inc
have warned of a ‘grave threat to the Internet’. However, consumer advocates
are pushing for reclassification of broadband providers as public utilities,
while tech companies in their opposition to pay-for-priority have not supported
reclassification.”
Well, that’s a long quote but accurate; so I cannot say
here’s the issue in a nutshell! So let
me quote Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt):
“Whether you run a huge website
or a small blog, you should have equal access to Internet users without paying
a ransom to providers like Comcast.”
That’s succinct. Senator Sanders goes on with this
statement:
“American consumers, including
the tens of thousands who have contacted my office, have been clear: The way
forward is to regulate Internet providers like telephone companies. The FCC is
asking for comment and I hope the American people will continue to make their
voices heard.”
Seems to me Sanders is correct. Equal access to the Internet
should be guaranteed to users. The access is not free. Users pay fees that are
equally administered across the board. These fees have been lucrative and
continue to be so.
To guard net neutrality and equality, please submit your
comment to the FCC as soon as possible. And keep informed on the subject!
June 24, 2014
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