Franken: Under FCC’s ‘neutrality’ rules, ‘the Internet as we know it would cease to exist’

[Poll_Blind]

From RawStory:

Franken added that Genachowski "has been calling the CEOs of major Internet corporations seeking their public endorsement" of a bill that would actually "destroy" the principle of "Net Neutrality."

He also called "troubling" the fact that President Obama and Genachowski have campaigned "convincingly" for "Net Neutrality," yet now appear poised to deal its death blow.

--snip--

On wired Internet, which is expected to dramatically decrease in relevance in the coming years as fourth-generation wireless networks proliferate, a "public Internet" would be protected from bandwidth throttling. Companies, however, would be permitted to experiment with establishing super-tiers for preferred traffic, but must justify why individual services should be separated from the public Internet.

The FCC would additionally require broadband providers to disclose their network management practices.

"That's why net neutrality is the most important free speech issue of our time," Sen. Franken concluded. "And that's why, this Tuesday, when the FCC meets to discuss this badly flawed proposal, I'll be watching. If they approve it as is, I'll be outraged. And you should be, too."

Worth reading- much more at the link!

PB

[no limit]

1. The are trying to change the definition of net neutrality and think we're all too stupid to notice

[Still a Democrat]

14. UPDATE: Franken - "the proposal approved today is better than the original"

If you saw my op-ed in the Huffington Post yesterday, you know how concerned I was about today's FCC meeting on net neutrality (and, by the way, would you mind sharing it on Twitter and Facebook?).

Chairman Genachowski's draft Order was worse than nothing--and we needed to make sure the FCC didn't approve it today.

Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that, thanks to Commissioners Copps and Clyburn--not to mention a nationwide network of net neutrality activists like you--the proposal approved today is better than the original. For instance, the FCC has now stated that it does not condone discriminatory behavior by wireless companies like Verizon and AT&T--an important piece that was missing from the first draft. We made a difference.

The bad news is that, while it's no longer worse than nothing, the Order approved today is not nearly strong enough to protect consumers or preserve the free and open Internet. And with so much at stake, I cannot support it.

I'm still very concerned that it includes almost nothing to protect net neutrality for mobile broadband service--often the only choice for broadband if you live in rural or otherwise underserved areas. And I'm particularly disappointed that the FCC isn't specifically banning paid prioritization--the creation of an Internet "fast lane" for corporations that can afford to pay for it.

But here's the important thing to remember: This fight's not over. The FCC must vigorously enforce these new regulations--and it must follow through on addressing wireless discrimination going forward.

So what now? First, we need to work together to make sure the FCC keeps the promises it made today--just as our movement was instrumental in improving these regulations from the first draft, we'll be critical in ensuring that the regulations are enforced vigorously.

And I'm going to keep working with net neutrality advocates to see if there are legislative or administrative steps that can be taken to strengthen these protections.

But, for today, know that the work we're doing to save the Internet is making a difference. Today, the FCC took a small step forward--too small by my estimation, but forward nonetheless.

Thanks for your support,

Al

http://blog.alfranken.com/2010/12/20/huffington-post-the-most-important-free-speech-issue-of-our-time/

[krabigirl]

2. This is horrible and not "neutral" at all!

[Poll_Blind]

4. Just like the "Soc. Sec.Payroll Tax Holiday" poison pill in the tax "deal".

Legislation looks fine, even good on the surface. Scratch past that and it's the money trough for corporations.

PB

[Jackpine Radical]

5. It was the best deal Obama could get.

The Administration got to include "net neutrality" in the description, and the lobbyists got to write the actual provisions.

[Poboy]

6. !

[mdmc]

11. r

[NorthCarolina]

3. K&R

[IDemo]

7. "If they approve it as is, I'll be outraged. "

A measure's ability to provoke outrage makes its approval almost a certainty nowadays.

[Poll_Blind]

8. Related: Franked goes into details on Senate floor (VIDEO LINK)

Here at DU

Most-relevant bits start about 12 minutes into the video but the whole thing is so worth watching.

PB

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Poll_Blind.

[Poboy]

10. recommended

[WinkyDink]

12. Obama found something not broken and asked his man to fix it. Thanks. Follow the money.

That seems to be the prevailing motif of the Obama Administration.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. When this is proven to be BS, there's a certain DUer Franken will have to apologize to.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: