FCC poised to approve net neutrality rules

[babylonsister]

FCC poised to approve net neutrality rules
By Sara Jerome - 12/20/10 03:33 PM ET


The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will pass Internet line regulations for the first time ever on Tuesday, shoring them up with a shaky legal argument that could get shot down in court.

But the agency will not close the door on using a stricter legal framework that might be more likely to survive a court challenge — even though the tougher regime is seen as anathema to broadband investment.

It became clear on Monday afternoon that the FCC has the votes to pass Chairman Julius Genachowski's compromise net-neutrality proposal. After weeks of negotiating, Democratic FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps have agreed to support the chairman's plan — although they both said they wish it were stronger.

"While I cannot vote wholeheartedly to approve the item, I will not block it by voting against it. I instead plan to concur so that we may move forward," Copps said in a statement.

Clyburn took a similar line in a statement.

"The Commission has worked tirelessly to offer a set of guidelines that, while not as strong as they could be, will nonetheless protect consumers as they explore, learn, and innovate online," she said.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/134545-copps-will-not-block-net-neutraliy-internet-line-regs-will-pass

[ananda]

1. I don't understand why they just didn't go stronger.

Unless they got bought off.

[babylonsister]

3. Maybe to try to get rethug support, which apparently isn't happening,

unless it does.

[vaberella]

5. Repubs are on the FCC commission? I always thought it was an independent body.n/t

[babylonsister]

7. From the article...

A senior FCC official told The Hill on Monday that as the FCC moves to impose new net neutrality rules, it will leave its Title II docket open. That docket would reclassify broadband as a public utility, subjecting phone and cable companies to a powerful new set of strictures.

Republican Commissioner Meredith Baker has adamantly called for the Title II docket to be closed, arguing that investors gain little certainty if is still looming.

"What certainty can the Commission provide industry if there remains an open and active docket under which three Commissioners-at any time-could flip a switch and treat broadband as a monopoly-era service?" she said in a speech last week.

[Armstead]

9. Broadband IS becoming a monopoly era serrvice

Society is moving more and more to a point where breoadband will be just as necessary as phone and mail service.

It SHOULD be strictly regulated so that the monopolists are not able tpo use their power to blackmail everyone into having to pay exorbatant rates.

[karynnj]

10. Sounds like the two wanting something stronger could not get others to support it

They seem to be saying that this is at least a step forward.

[Kdillard]

2. So is this good or bad? That other thread confused me.

[vaberella]

4. Net neutriality is good. n/t

[Kdillard]

6. You would think so but apparently our butts are being handed over to corporations. I did read that

it gives corporations the right to charge fees to those companies with unusally high bandwith usage.

[lib2DaBone]

8. I wonder who wrote the new rules? Lobbyists?

I wonder if we'll be forced to purchase inferior internet services from "approved" vendors?

(definite snark implied)