All Articles Tagged "net neutrality"
Republicans Fight Net Neutrality Rules
(Wall Street Journal) — In a contentious hearing, House Republicans attacked new regulations for broadband Internet lines and criticized the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission for adopting them. Republicans are targeting the “net neutrality” rules, which would bar Internet providers from blocking or slowing Internet traffic and services, as well as new regulations in such areas as health care and the environment, as unnecessary and overly burdensome on industry.
“Why would you put the government in charge of the Internet?” asked Rep. Fred Upton (R., Mich.), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, a Democrat, defended the new rules during the hearing, saying the FCC “did the right thing” and that it is “pro-job and pro-investment” for the U.S. economy. Democratic lawmakers on the panel also defended Mr. Genachowski. Sveral said the FCC hadn’t gone far enough in regulating Internet lines. They said the agency should have more firmly established its authority to play Internet traffic cop by reregulating Internet lines under rules designed for land-line phones.
New FCC Rules Exclude Key Way Blacks Get Online
(The Root) — Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to adopt rules that will affect the way average people receive data and other content over the Internet. The results of the vote — meant as a compromise between the interests of big business and the needs of “the little guy” — are likely to have a disproportionate impact on minorities. Dubbed “net neutrality” rules, they are meant to fulfill a promise that President Barack Obama made to protect a “level playing field” for all comers to the online space and prevent Internet service providers from blocking or slowing down Web traffic out of competition or greed.
FCC To Bring Class Divisions To Internet Users
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday passed controversial new rules to regulate the internet, which will change the way we all engage with online content and services. Although the new rules would disallow service providers to block competitors websites (a good thing), the regulation will enable service providers the ability to charge consumers more to gain access for faster internet.
What can that mean for users? The internet will no longer mean universal access and information delivery can potentially be based on how much you’re willing to pay. This has large and major implications. According to ABC News, ” the rules do allow Internet providers to engage in ‘reasonable network management,’ meaning they can take steps to regulate traffic and congestion over their connections. Critics warn those steps could include implementation of usage-based pricing for accessing the Internet at home and preferential treatment for companies that pay extra for “fast-lanes.” They say service providers could also begin to pick and choose which websites can run faster than others over their networks.”
The internet has always symbolized a window of information to the world. Now, that window will be severely obstructed.
“By creating a “fast lane” that people with deeper pockets can pay for, [the FCC] has effectively created an uneven playing field where more money equates to better service and less money equates to less service, said Marc Aarons, creator and editor of Mobile Broadband Reviews . “On the surface this doesn’t seem all that bad, but consider Congress’ recent decision to allow corporations to donate as much money as they want to political campaigns. The result, as it will be with the internet, is large corporate entities having the most say and voice in public policy.”
Although we can’t lament the idea of paying for a service, many people who can’t or won’t pay those extra dollars will be deprived of information that they may not even notice they’re missing. That may seem trivial but it will play out to the detriment of society in the long run for the benefit of corporate interests. It will be a less informed and less engaged society for sure when restrictions are placed on content consumption in what used to be the world wide web.
Internet Gets New Rules
(Wall Street Journal) — Consumers for the first time got federally approved rules guaranteeing their right to view what they want on the Internet. The new framework could also result in tiered charges for web access and alter how companies profit from the network. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday voted 3-2 to back Chairman Julius Genachowski’s plan for what is commonly known as “net neutrality,” or rules prohibiting Internet providers from interfering with legal web traffic. President Barack Obama said the FCC’s action will “help preserve the free and open nature of the Internet.”
‘Net Neutrality’ Rules Set to Pass
(Wall Street Journal) — The top communications regulator won support to pass contentious new rules for Internet traffic, a move likely to face legal challenges and create uncertainty about Internet regulation. The Federal Communications Commission is set to approve on Tuesday Chairman Julius Genachowski’s proposed rules governing net neutrality—a concept aimed at preventing Internet providers from interfering with web traffic. The rules are expected to bar providers from discriminating against legal Internet traffic and require more transparency. They also would let broadband providers for the first time charge more to companies that want faster service for delivery of games, videos or other services.
Lobbying War Over the Internet Heats Up
(Wall Street Journal) — Big phone and cable companies are outgunning Silicon Valley in last-minute lobbying to shape a pending Federal Communications Commission proposal to prevent Internet providers from interfering with web traffic. The major broadband companies have opposed FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s efforts to give the government a stronger hand in regulating how web traffic is managed, and have warned that the FCC could discourage investment in broadband networks. But they’re now trying to make sure the rules that are enacted are as positive for their businesses as possible.
Net-Neutrality Supporters Push Back on CBC’s Rush Endorsement
(The Hill) — ColorOfChange is pushing back on a key endorsement for Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) in his bid to become the top Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing telecom. The activism group panned a decision by the Congressional Black Caucus to endorse Rush this week for the ranking member position on the House Communications subcommittee. A staunch proponent of net neutrality, ColorOfChange has been highly critical of Rush’s effort. The group says he has not done enough to support Internet line regulations.
African-American Group Asks Pelosi to Oppose Bobby Rush
(Wired News) — The founder of an influential, left-leaning web-based organization that advocates on African-American issues is asking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to oppose the candidacy of Bobby Rush (D-Illinois, pictured at left), who is African-American, to become the ranking member on the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. The reason? “Congressman Rush has repeatedly supported the interests of the telecommunications industry over the interests of regular people, and has been a fierce opponent of network neutrality,” James Rucker, executive director of Color of Change, which has 800,000 online members, wrote in a letter to Pelosi Thursday.
Internet Access as the Next Civil Rights Battle?
(New American Media) — The ongoing, often arcane, battle over whether telecommunications companies may slow certain online services and charge fees to speed up others has morphed into a civil rights controversy. Many of the country’s leading civil rights organizations are siding with the phone and cable companies in their bid to prevent federal regulations over their broadband, or high-speed, Internet services. At stake: whether to preserve “network neutrality” — the longstanding principle that all consumers can access whatever websites or applications they want on the Internet, at the same speed and without limitations imposed by Internet service providers.
What’s at Stake for Internet Businesses, Minority Start-Ups and the Economy?
(Huffington Post) — Three years ago, when it was clear that my job at an Internet startup wasn’t going to lead to the type of career opportunities I once thought, I decided to go into business for myself. While I didn’t have a lot of examples of black women Internet entrepreneurs to model my career after, I knew creating my own company would enable me to do the work I love, on my terms, and create real value for my family, my community and myself. The opportunities that I’ve been able to take advantage of have come about because I learned how to access and leverage the dynamic potential of the Internet.
