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onehandle

(51,122 posts)
Tue Feb 3, 2015, 12:17 PM Feb 2015

In Net Neutrality Push, F.C.C. Is Expected to Propose Regulating Internet Service as a Utility

Source: New York Times

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission this week is widely expected to propose regulating Internet service like a public utility, a move certain to unleash another round of intense debate and lobbying about how to ensure so-called net neutrality, or an open Internet.

It is expected that the proposal will reclassify high-speed Internet service as a telecommunications service, instead of an information service, under Title II of the Communications Act, according to industry analysts, lobbyists and former F.C.C. staff members.

The change, the analysts and others say, which has been pushed by President Obama, would give the commission strong legal authority to ensure that no content is blocked and no so-called pay-to-play fast lanes exist — prohibitions that are hallmarks of the net neutrality concept.

But Tom Wheeler, the F.C.C. chairman, will advocate a light-touch approach to Title II, they say, shunning the more intrusive aspects of utility-style regulation, like meddling in pricing decisions. He may also suggest putting wireless data services under Title II and adding regulations for companies that manage the backbone of the Internet.

Read more: http://nytimes.com/2015/02/03/technology/in-net-neutrality-push-fcc-is-expected-to-propose-regulating-the-internet-as-a-utility.html



As it should be.

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In Net Neutrality Push, F.C.C. Is Expected to Propose Regulating Internet Service as a Utility (Original Post) onehandle Feb 2015 OP
Will This Change Access? kracer20 Feb 2015 #1
This was posted yesterday by elleng and I posted TexasProgresive Feb 2015 #2
That's somewhat inaccurate PSPS Feb 2015 #3
yes TexasProgresive Feb 2015 #4

kracer20

(199 posts)
1. Will This Change Access?
Tue Feb 3, 2015, 12:28 PM
Feb 2015

I'm curious if classifying it as a utility will help those that are in remote locations with quality access? Will it open the doors for ISP's to use government dollars to provide access?

Sure hope so...

TexasProgresive

(12,157 posts)
2. This was posted yesterday by elleng and I posted
Tue Feb 3, 2015, 01:15 PM
Feb 2015
Let's see if the FCC can do a better job of regulating the internet

than they do with telecoms.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/111664192

PSPS

(13,608 posts)
3. That's somewhat inaccurate
Tue Feb 3, 2015, 01:49 PM
Feb 2015

Telecoms aren't regulated now the same as they were. Back in the Bell System days, regulation worked out quite well. Its purpose, besides controlling a "natural monopoly," was to insure affordable service everywhere, including remote rural areas. And it did just that.

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