FCC Said to Signal It’s Heeding Obama’s Call for Open-Web Rules

[n2doc]

The U.S. Federal Communication Commission is signaling that it intends to adopt President Barack Obama’s proposal to keep the Internet open when the independent agency votes on rules next month.

FCC officials working on the issue under Chairman Tom Wheeler are asking questions they would only ask if they were taking the direction Obama is seeking, such as how to regulate wireless service, said one person involved in discussions with the agency.

Obama in November called for “the strongest possible rules” to regulate Internet service, including a ban on so-called fast lanes. In doing so, he joined the ranks of Internet startups, public interest groups and more than 105,000 people who signed a petition to the White House calling for an open-Internet policy. The rules would ensure service providers treat Web traffic equally -- a concept known as net neutrality.

The president’s intervention appears to be driving policy deliberations on net neutrality, Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) said in documents filed in recent weeks with the FCC. The cable-television company, which opposes the proposal and is one of the nation’s largest high-speed Internet providers, suggested steps to soften the blow.

Such an acknowledgment “gives you strong reason to believe it’s headed that way,” said Gene Kimmelman, president of the Washington-based policy group Public Knowledge, who supports Obama’s utility-style rules. “I’m optimistic.”

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http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-07/fcc-said-to-signal-it-s-heeding-obama-s-call-for-open-web-rules.html

[on point]

1. Next we need anti trust to separate carriers from content providers

That way carriers will compete to provide best lowest cost service, while content will have to fight over quality and price of content

[Roland99]

2. Like that will happen. Just as Investment banks can "gamble" with deposits...

I don't see the marriage of content providers and carriers being blocked. After all, corporations are people, too, and we're all about anyone marrying anyone, right?


(note the hint of sarcasm pointed at corporations)

[on point]

3. Agreed not easy, but as we build progressive agenda of this needs to be added

This is a principle to eliminate vertical integration and conflict of interest as well as a tactic to reduce costs to consumers and to free up diversity of content

Goals are not easy, but needed. Your sarcasm noted and appreciate!

[Dont call me Shirley]

5. Re-enforce the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, that would fix a lot.

That would be so awesome if the Pres began enforcing it.

[Scuba]

4. I'd be very pleased if this were true. Wheeler's appointment suggests that it is not.

[Enthusiast]

6. I sent him another e-mail.

Well I did. I'm sure he will take my views into consideration.

[Ferd Berfel]

8. The Third Way!

[Ferd Berfel]

7. Hope So! We'll see

But I'm not ready to hold my breath - sorry.

[Helen Borg]

9. Simple. Declare internet a utiity.

All it takes.