FCC Unanimously Supports 'Net Neutrality' Rule In Face Of Fierce Telecom Lobby

Reuters:

U.S. communications regulators voted unanimously Thursday to support an open Internet rule that would prevent telecom network operators from barring or blocking content based on the revenue it generates.

Read the whole story: Reuters

Comments

[ATLDude]

Seems like a balanced decision: No, you can't manager your network to favor your own traffic or that of your business partners, but you can control illegal activity. It's that last issue that is going to be the next frontier in the net neutrality fight.

[WasteNJ]

God Damn Right! Sigh of relief man, sigh of relief.

[jasper48]

Don't start breathing too easily yet. "Thars gold, in them there hills",
and those slimy SOB's are not going to let it pass through their fingers
after just one small defeat. They will be back. Ignore that fact at your own peril

[ibsteve2u]

"AT&T Inc (T.N), Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) and Qwest Communications International Inc (Q.N), ... say it would strip them of the ability to manage their networks effectively and would stifle innovation and competition."

That manage their networks effectively argument is just bogus. We're talking the flow of electrons and/or photons here, not radioactive water.

That competition thing? What have those three corporations been doing these last few decades, but eliminating competition by gobbling their competitors up?

And the only innovations out of them that I am aware of in the last few decades is the creation of creative nomenclature to justify raising your bill.

[WasteNJ]

They were salivating at the thought of turning the internet into the original phone company model for telephones.

The potential for profit with a tiered system is mind boggling, and many, like Verizon, have already partially segregated their networks with different technologies, charging a premium for Fiber and still charging full price for slow DSL, also forcing people into bundled packages with TV and phone or else charging more for individual services.

Oh how they would love to offer "Premium website packages" just like bundling cable channels.

[Wide Stance]

Is McCain back in bed with Iseman?

[emily00011]

McCan't is working to block net neutrality! Wonder who he has in his back pocket pushing him to do this.

[Wide Stance]

Vicki Iseman offered to buy him house #8...or #9? (I'll have his staff get back to you on that.)

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_02/013167.php