FCC to Overhaul Regulation of Internet Lines

[babylonsister]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703961104575226583645448758.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

FCC to Overhaul Regulation of Internet Lines

By AMY SCHATZ


WASHINGTON–Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has decided to reregulate Internet lines to protect net neutrality, siding with consumer groups and Internet companies worried that Internet providers have too much power.

On Wednesday, Mr. Genachowski's staff began briefing the FCC's commissioners on how they will propose to regulate Internet lines under rules that were written for traditional phone networks. Some of those rules won't be applied to Internet networks, FCC officials say, but others will be used to enforce net neutrality, or regulations that require Internet providers to treat traffic equally and not slow or block websites.

Phone and cable companies opposed the FCC reclassifying regulation of Internet lines under Title 2 of the Communications Act, which was written for traditional phone networks and includes provisions such as rate regulations.

Internet providers fear the agency could try to impose rate controls or require them to share their networks with rivals and warned the decision could prompt them to stop investing in new Internet lines. FCC officials say Mr. Genachowski's proposal won't suggest that and that the agency will propose only applying some parts of Title 2 rules to Internet lines.

A FCC spokeswoman didn't return calls or emails for comment.

[backscatter712]

1. Did we just win this one?

Did the FCC change their mind and decide to enforce net neutrality after all?

B-) :party: :toast: :bounce: :smoke: :beer: :hi: :fistbump: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[SpartanDem]

3. There was no mind to change

people got out of shape due to a report with no official sources just speculation.

[Cha]

4. That's what I thought..as with so much

on this board. I just let it play out mostly and wait for the final results..much more condusive to my sanity.

Thank you, SpartanDem.

[annabanana]

7. The outcry was instructive, nontheless...

It showed TPTB that the people are watching. . .

[w4rma]

2. Good. (nt)

[rhett o rick]

5. Net neutrality is a big deal. k&r

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. "Internet providers fear the agency could try to impose rate controls.....

....or require them to share their networks with rivals"

That would be the BEST possible outcome of this (though I doubt it would actually happen)

Net Neutrality is a completely separate issue from that, of course. But this DOES need to happen, so Comca$t can no longer get away with charging whatever the fuck they feel like (not just the monthly rates, but whatever bullshit charges and fees they can make up to go along with it) lie to your face when you prove them wrong, and constantly threaten you when you don't comply and pay their false charges. They do this because they know they have a monopoly and you can't switch to another provider.

[depakid]

8. +1

It was a fine, fine day when I finally got out from under Comcast's thumb- though it wasn't without a parting shot. The shut off my former internet account two full days before my requested cancellation date- then turned around and tried to charge me for that time!