The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved to propose new rules called ‘net neutrality’ that would not allow internet service providers (ISPs) to prevent any of its users from sending or receiving content and applications over the internet.
The commission said that the new rules would permit broadband internet access service providers to engage in reasonable network management, including but not limited to reasonable practices to reduce or mitigate the effects of network congestion.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, said: “we face the dangerous combination of an uncertain legal framework with ongoing as well as emerging challenges to a free and open Internet. Given the potentially huge consequences of having the open Internet diminished through inaction, the time is now to move forward with consideration of fair and reasonable rules of the road, rules that would be enforceable and implemented on a case-by-case basis.”
The proposal contains six principles that applies to all platforms for broadband internet access, including mobile wireless broadband, while recognising that different access platforms involve significantly different technologies, market structures, patterns of consumer usage, and regulatory history.
Reportedly, some online companies say that the internet service providers should be barred from preventing or slowing traffic based on the revenue the content will generate.
Senator John McCain expressed his opinion in an article published by The Washington Times: “These new rules should rightly be viewed by consumers suspiciously as another government power grab over a private service provided by private companies in a competitive marketplace. Does this sound familiar? It should.
“This government takeover of the internet will stifle innovation, which will in turn hinder job creation. The technology industry is the fastest-growing job market behind the health care industry.”
The FCC will accept public comments through the commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System until January 14, 2010, and reply comments are due on March 5, 2010.
