The Day Free Speech Died : F.C.C., in a Shift, Backs Fast Lanes for Web Traffic

[FreakinDJ]

WASHINGTON — The principle that all Internet content should be treated equally as it flows through cables and pipes to consumers looks all but dead.

The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday that it would propose new rules that allow companies like Disney, Google or Netflix to pay Internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon for special, faster lanes to send video and other content to their customers.

The proposed changes would affect what is known as net neutrality — the idea that no providers of legal Internet content should face discrimination in providing offerings to consumers, and that users should have equal access to see any legal content they choose.

The proposal comes three months after a federal appeals court struck down, for the second time, agency rules intended to guarantee a free and open Internet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/technology/fcc-new-net-neutrality-rules.html?_r=0

[L0oniX]

1. Government of, by and for the corporations ...at work.

[MohRokTah]

2. Ever since the free market of ideas opened up, the oligarchy has wanted to shut it down.

They cannot have the proles actually learning anything.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

3. I make my living running an e-commerce website. The very first minute this affects my

business....

I can't say here what I will do.

[octoberlib]

4. Our country's messed up.

LONDON- European lawmakers approved new rules on Thursday aimed at guaranteeing equal access to the internet and cutting cellphone charges across the 28- member European Union.

The lawmakers also made it mandatory for mobile phone companies to comply with rules to phase out roaming costs when consumers use cellphones in other European Union countries by the end of next year.

'This vote is the EU delivering for citizens ", Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner responsible for telecommunications said in a statement on Thursday. "This is what the EU is all about - getting rid of barriers to make life easier and less expensive."




http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/business/international/eu-lawmakers-approve-tough-net-neutrality-rules.html

[moondust]

6. E.U. is doing the opposite.

E.U. Lawmakers Approve Tough ‘Net Neutrality’ Rules is the title of the article. It seems the E.U. is moving to strengthen Net Neutrality while the U.S. is killing it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. I mis-read the EU comment....thanks for correction.

[AngryAmish]

7. I believe in net neutrality...but isn't the FCC forced into this?

This is an area of the law which I have little experience so if I am wrong correct away.'


However a few months ago the dc circuit ruled isps are not common carriers. They are to be regulated in accordance with that ruling and existing law, so the FCC has made the regulations in accordance with the law.

The solution is to change the law.

Not likely to happen, but this is the rule of law at work, no?

[politicaljunkie41910]

11. So is the solution to make us all ISPs? Whereby we all would be treated equal.

[pa28]

12. Chairman Wheeler seemed to think was not going to be a problem in February.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said he plans on a do-over for Net neutrality rules.

On Wednesday, the chairman laid out a plan for preserving the Open Internet after a federal appeals court struck down the rules last month.

As part of this new strategy, Wheeler said the FCC will not ask the federal appeals court to re-examine its decision in which the rules were thrown out. Instead, the agency will write brand-new rules using a different legal basis that was affirmed by the court's decision.

http://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-to-rewrite-net-neutrality-rules/

[okieinpain]

9. ok so where is the riot at. I'm ready. n/t

[pa28]

10. That's quite a stunning reversal.

Two months ago chairman Wheeler committed to re-writing the rules around a different legal basis to preserve net neutrality.

Now we see he did the opposite and produced a new policy that simply conforms to the ruling.

In other words the promises to protect neutrality were bullshit and the public is going to take yet another shearing from a lobbyist-run government agency.