AlterNet: FCC Passes Toothless Net Neutrality Regulations

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FCC Passes Toothless Net Neutrality Regulations


As expected, the FCC voted today to pass net neutrality regulations knocked by critics as a gift to cable lobbyists and ISPs. FCC chair Julius Genachowski put a rosy spin on the plan, saying in a statement, "Today for the first time the FCC is adopting rules to preserve basic Internet values." But net neutrality advocates point out that the regulations are filled with loopholes favoring telecoms.

Free press managing director Craig Aaron had this to say about it:

We are deeply disappointed that the chairman chose to ignore the overwhelming public support for real Net Neutrality, instead moving forward with industry-written rules that will for the first time in Internet history allow discrimination online. This proceeding was a squandered opportunity to enact clear, meaningful rules to safeguard the Internet’s level playing field and protect consumers.

The new rules are riddled with loopholes, evidence that the chairman sought approval from AT&T instead of listening to the millions of Americans who asked for real Net Neutrality. These rules don't do enough to stop the phone and cable companies from dividing the Internet into fast and slow lanes, and they fail to protect wireless users from discrimination. No longer can you get to the same Internet via your mobile device as you can via your laptop. The rules pave the way for AT&T to block your access to third-party applications and to require you to use its own preferred applications.

Read more about the plan here


http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/404545/fcc_passes_toothless_net_neutrality_regulations/