In January, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia invalidated a portion of the Open Internet Order, which was adopted by the FCC in 2010 to maintain net neutrality rules, because common carrier regulations do not apply to broadband providers. The Communications Act established broadband Internet services as information services, which prohibits the FCC from regulating it as common carrier services. Therefore, as long as broadband Internet services are classified as information services, the FCC cannot legally impose the anti-blocking and anti-discrimination rules included in the Open Internet Order. Some have suggested reclassifying broadband Internet services as telecommunications services, which are more stringently regulated like traditional telephone companies. On May 15, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler advanced a proposal that would allow broadband providers (Verizon) to charge content companies (Google) for preferential treatment, or fast lanes to customers. Additionally, the proposal included provisions that would bar Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from slowing data transmission. The FCC’s approval of the proposal by a 3-2 vote immediately opens public comment for 120 days, and commissioners will not decide on the final rule until later in the year. The Internet is one of the greatest innovations of our time, and I will continue to work to ensure burdensome regulations do not hamper growth while protecting consumer’s right to legal content.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:37:00 +0000
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