FCC OKs ‘net neutrality’
Web content must be treated equally
LOS ANGELES – In a highly controversial vote, the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved new regulations for Internet access designed to prevent large telecommunications companies from squashing competitors.
The “net neutrality” rules prohibit companies that provide high-speed Internet service from blocking access by customers to any legal content, applications or services, such as using the free Skype online phone service.
For the first time, there will be government regulations to keep information flowing freely on the Internet and requiring Internet service providers to give customers more details about how they run their networks.
The rules will be tougher on wired Internet service from cable and phone companies than it will be on such service provided by wireless carriers because that market is in an earlier stage of development and is evolving quickly. For wired services, the FCC added a rule prohibiting Internet providers from “unreasonable discrimination” in how they treat access to content and services.
The goal of that regulation is to prevent companies that provide Internet access from giving priority to their own offerings, such as the ability to watch TV shows or movies online, or slowing the delivery of services from competitors.
The FCC vote Tuesday was the culmination of more than five years of debate over whether regulations were needed. The rules are expected to come under tough congressional scrutiny and be challenged in court by telecommunications companies.
Democrats, online activists and Internet companies such as Google Inc. have pressed for tough rules to guarantee continued open access to the Internet. President Barack Obama was an early supporter of net neutrality and made it part of his 2008 campaign.
But Republicans, free-market advocates and telecommunications providers have strongly opposed net neutrality regulations, contending that they aren’t needed and could damage the Internet economy. Still, AT&T Inc. has said the FCC rules are less restrictive than what many advocates have called for.
The FCC split 3-2 along party lines Tuesday in approving the new regulations. Chairman Julius Genachowski and the two other Democrats in the majority supported the compromise proposal he had spent months crafting.