FCC Will Enforce Open Internet Protections, Including on Mobile

[engine]

That old Net neutrality subject, again.

This means throttling of mobile Net access will be fully enforced.

That is why I am proposing that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce open internet protections.

Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. I propose to fully apply—for the first time ever—those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights of internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone’s permission. FCC Will "Enforce Open Internet Protections," Including on Mobile [wired.com]

The proposal I present to the commission will ensure the internet remains open, now and in the future, for all Americans.

[aristotle]

The title of this thread seems misleading. There hasn't been any final decision on this yet. And the big telecom companies are going to fight like hell to keep this from happening. And don't underestimate their ability to get what they want in the end.

[tangor]

Current sticking point is whether all of the 1934 Telecommunications act (and the ensuing regulations) will be applied, or just the bits and pieces they'd like, so they can add the regulations.

Beware what you ask for, you just might get it.

[Nutterum]

Just out of curiosity. This impacts the US only I assume? On our end (EU Zone) we already have this implemented.

[engine]

It does, Nutterm, but, other regulators, Governments and businesses will be watching this to see how it works out. It won't have any direct jurisdiction or control outside of the U.S. territory, but it will, for others, paint a picture of how it works out.

[Nutterum]

From what I read I hope it sticks. Private companies will not be happy, especially mobile operators as they will lose even more ground against software companies, as well as product manufacturers ( I am looking at Apple and to some extent Microsoft).

But in the end I feel this is right move, unless I am being blinded by something.

[mcneely]

unless I am being blinded by something

This is all about being steps closer to a metered internet.

Eventually, the net will be run like how your Electric or Gas Company is being run now.

ISP's will be more apt to choose becoming a utility like entity if they discover that their profits are being hurt by anything the Gov does regarding regulation.

Big Corp is going to embrace this like a warm fleece blanket on a cold winters day -- And the software companies? .. heh ... they stand to make billions just by writing the software for all of this.

You can make buttloads more money by metering a service, than you can by selling the service in it's current form.
Verizon has proved this very fact over the past years with their wireless stick for internet - The Verizon service is metered, in that, you only pay for what you use (not too unlike your electricity) -- Trouble is here that the service per month, in that metered environment, can run upwards to over $500.00 USD per month.

These days we find everyone complaining about how unfair the internet is because of a certain favoritism being shown to big corp/media with regard to bandwidth.

Sure it seems unfair -- but when people get what they think they want, the whole fairness argument will be vaulted to a whole new level.

Fairness, being what it is, will mean that everyone pays the same for a said MB per hour rate as opposed to selling the bandwidth in chunks or range plans, like it's done now.

In the end, there will be less people who will be using the internet overall, for the sake of fairness -- There will be less hosting providers, for the sake of fairness -- There will be less internet commerce, for the sake of fairness -- There will be less free helps and services online, for the sake of fairness.

In the end, internet will be just as easy, or as hard, to pay for, as your gas or electric bills are to pay for today. Sure you'll get those super fast speeds, but I'll guarantee 100% that you'll be having to pay dearly for it - all for the sake of fairness of course.

Just a little food for thought for those who might be wanting to run off the end of the planet with this whole fairness argument.