IT’S OFFICIAL: THE country’s top regulator of the internet wants to end net neutrality. Specifically, Federal Communications Commission chair Ajit Pai plans to repeal changes that gave the agency the authority to enforce net neutrality protections—that is, rules requiring internet service providers to treat all internet traffic equally. But he won’t likely be able to do so without a big legal fight.
Tag: Federal Communications Commission
Net Neutrality Is in More Danger Than Ever | WIRED
IT’S BEEN A year since the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Open Internet Order, theoretically ushering in the age of net neutrality. Under the order, Internet service providers are banned from discriminating against certain types of traffic or charging deep-pocketed Internet companies to have their content funneled through so-called “fast lanes.” Net neutrality advocates hailed the FCC’s decision as a victory for equal access and free speech, an Internet where money can’t buy privileged placement on the network.
But the battle is far from over. In fact, the FCC’s decision has catalyzed the forces that oppose government-enforced net neutrality. Regulators may be pushing for a more open Internet, but its prospects are in greater danger than ever.
Comcast abandons $45bn Time Warner Cable deal | BBC News
“Today, we move on,” said Comcast chairman Brian L Roberts.
“We structured this deal so that if the government didn’t agree, we could walk away.”
In March last year, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) launched an antitrust probe into the deal.
“The companies’ decision to abandon this deal is the best outcome for American consumers,” said Attorney General Eric Holder in a statement.
“This is a victory not only for the Department of Justice, but also for providers of content and streaming services who work to bring innovative products to consumers across America and around the world.”
The deal was also being scrutinised by the Federal Communications Commission, and had been criticised by some politicians and various consumer and industry groups.
Shares in Comcast declined slightly on the news, whereas Time Warner Cable’s were up slightly.
Internet Should Be Open, No Fast or Slow Lanes, Obama Says | Bloomberg
President Barack Obama called for the “strongest possible rules” to protect the open Internet, advocating stricter controls than a regulator he appointed and causing shares of Comcast Corp. CMCSA and other broadband providers to drop.
“I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritization,” Obama said today in a statement, referring to so-called fast lanes for preferred Web traffic. His comments tilt the White House against positions advocated by broadband providers and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler.
Companies led by Comcast, Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and AT&T Inc. T argue that only light regulation is needed to ensure providers don’t block or slow Web traffic, and they say strict rules would squelch investment. Public policy groups want tough regulations that guarantee all websites are treated equally and can be accessed by people increasingly reliant on the Internet.
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