FCC & Internet Access vs. Providers

According to pcworld.com & other news sources, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission & Chairman Julius Genachowski are creating new rules & regulations that prohibit ISP's (mainly telecommunications & cable providers) from clogging up the Internet flow with unnecessary traffic that could slow up Internet usage. It was first proposed in 2005, but has since been met with merit of controversy, from providers such as Comcast & AT&T.

-The notice of proposed rulemaking will look not only into net neutrality rules on traditional wired broadband networks, but also explore whether to impose new rules on broadband networks offered by mobile phone carriers, the FCC said. Genachowski said he wants all six principles to apply to all platforms that access the Internet. (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/172312/fcc_chairman_calls_for_formal_net_neutrality_rules.html)

-Several broadband providers have opposed formal net neutrality rules, saying they could hamper provider efforts to roll out new services and manage their networks, and to protect against attacks and bandwidth hogs. (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/172312/fcc_chairman_calls_for_formal_net_neutrality_rules.html)

-UBS analyst John Hodulik said extending the principles to the wireless arena is going to be "a bit difficult because the regulation of wireless is very different than the regulation of the wireline networks, where the FCC has played a much stronger role." (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgJce6q7W6GS_qlPWspwJQO998ZgD9AQKBL80) - A.P.

-There are four existing broadband principles that would be formalized:

-- Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice.

-- Consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement.

-- Consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network.

-- Consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers.

(http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/172312/fcc_chairman_calls_for_formal_net_neutrality_rules.html)

IMO: It's the FCC, so you never know how it's going to go. If it's anything that isn't going to disrupt my internet usage, I'm in. Just my take on this, instead of mandatory regulation, which, in theory, can (i mean that loosely) work, take a trial period first, say 2-4 months, & if there's any issues, re-work it. If it FLOPS HARD, scratch that & get back to the drawing board. I'm all for protecting the internet, just not if I have to compromise my internet usage. I'm pretty sure we could all agree on that.

Additional Sources:

(http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ctia/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=D15B55EE-7758-4122-816A-5CECB9277D6D&copyid=D1DBC4D4-5F6F-460D-BFFC-CB142DC95FD0)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality)