'Feds May Be Looking To Bail On Net Neutrality: WSJ' - HuffPo

[WillyT]

Feds May Be Looking To Bail On Net Neutrality: WSJ
The Huffington Post | by Drew Guarini
Posted: 04/23/2014 4:55 pm EDT Updated: 04/23/2014 6:59 pm EDT

<snip>

Net neutrality is not dead. But it may be about to take a big blow to the head.

The Wall Street Journal has a foreboding scoop that provides details on an early draft of the Federal Communications Commission's new net neutrality rules. And to put it mildly, Internet activists will not be thrilled.

According to the WSJ's sources, the FCC's plan would restructure the rules that govern online traffic by granting Internet service providers the ability to give some websites "preferential treatment" -- i.e. faster traffic -- in exchange for money.

If such rules were imposed, activists fear Internet service providers would make bandwidth-exhaustive websites -- think Netflix and Skype -- pay more for smoother delivery, which would theoretically mean higher prices for customers in turn.

According to the WSJ, companies in need of faster connections would have to pay for preferred treatment on the "last mile" of networks that connect to customers' homes. Such pay-to-play schemes were banned under the old rules.

But there is some good news. The FCC's proposal will ban Internet service providers from the most outright discriminatory practices, like blocking a legal website that offers a service that the Internet provider also offers. Unfortunately for defenders of the original tenets of net neutrality, these proposed rules will not be enough.

The commission already hinted at a similar plan back in February after a U.S. appeals court struck down the old net neutrality rules. Back then...

<snip>

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/23/net-neutrality_n_5201034.html

[WilliamPitt]

1. Moral:

We can't have nice things.

[WillyT]

2. That About Sums It Up...

I like that frog...

[Initech]

13. [phone]

[djean111]

3. It is SO nice that Washington is looking out for us little guys. Heart-warming.

This was, actually, quite predictable. Money talks. And talks and talks and talks. And wins every.single.time.

[WillyT]

9. Exactly... Money Talks... The SCOTUS Just Codified That...

[OKNancy]

4. LBN thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014786682

[WillyT]

7. Thanks !!! - Kicked And Recommended

[RandiFan1290]

5. Sweet Georgia Brown! nt

[TransitJohn]

6. What did anyone expect, really?

This has been the writing on the wall for POTUS' whole administration.

[Blue_Tires]

8. I smell Google's involvement in this...

[TransitJohn]

15. Why would google want to pay money to ISPs?

Eom

[AngryAmish]

17. google fiber

[Blue_Tires]

18. this will answer some of your questions

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-google-is-transforming-power-and-politicsgoogle-once-disdainful-of-lobbying-now-a-master-of-washington-influence/2014/04/12/51648b92-b4d3-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html

[WillyT]

10. Kick !!!

[woo me with science]

11. Closing off every avenue to fight back.

We were told with such seriousness by the propaganda mongers that the administration had our back on this.

Instead, we are predictably sold to the wolves, and perhaps our last remaining avenue for fighting these corporate fascists and taking democracy back is being handed away. This is not just about internet pricing. This is about control of information and communication.
Where is bvar22's image of guffawing corporate pigs when I need it?

[octoberlib]

12. The creation of the internet was wholly funded by US taxpayers and should have

been classified as a common carrier in the first place. We have Colin Powell's son to thank for THAT piece of bullshit.

[Dragonfli]

14. Let's face it, we all knew this was going to happen when the FCC post was sold err given

to one of the foxes of the industry. We the chickens? We are just meat, might as well let the foxes eat us if it means more "free $peach" for the corporate wing of the party.

I remember being told "No, wouldn't happen now that Bush is gone, you'll see." Then the jaw dropping appointment and it was "Give the guy a chance, industry insiders are great guys sometimes, you'll see!".

I suppose now it will be, "Nothing could be done the FCC is as weak as a kitten in these matters".

Who wants to bet I nailed the meme yet again?

[High_Voltage]

16. There is no "may" about it...

It's over...