DEAR reader, what kept you? Perhaps you were visiting film-streaming service Netflix, discussion forum Reddit, blogging site WordPress or any of dozens of other popular websites where users are halted at an endlessly spinning “loading” icon. If your first thought was to send an angry missive about your internet provision, the stunt has worked.
September 10th marks Internet Slowdown Day, an effort by activists and web-based firms to suggest how the web might look if rules proposed by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are adopted. At issue is net neutrality, the idea that all data on the internet should be treated equitably, regardless of content or provenance. One of the options mooted by the FCC earlier this year would permit broadband providers—in America, primarily cable companies—to charge certain internet firms for guaranteed levels of service. The cable companies have their eyes on Netflix in particular, whose streamed entertainment sometimes accounts for over a third of all wired download traffic in America, often in competition with their own on-demand offerings.
In Silicon Valley, where a level playing field is seen as a founding principle of the internet and start-ups consider connectivity an inexhaustible resource, this did not go down well. An open market of internet fast and slow lanes would chill innovation, opponents (and The Economist) have argued. Who would consider launching a high-definition gaming service or an online back-up website if reaching customers meant trying to outbid established industry giants? It would be much fairer, say net-neutrality proponents, for the FCC to reclassify broadband provision as a telecommunications service, rather than an information service. It could then choose to enforce the built-in content-neutrality rules laid out in “Title II”, part of the Communications Act of 1934 (legislation first deployed to wrangle the telephone industry).
The FCC has been derided for failing to exert its authority over the issue so far. Twice before it has put forward proposals to protect net neutrality, both summarily struck down by US courts. When it released its latest plan in May, protesters camped out to get a first crack at expressing their displeasure. When the commission received more than a million comments on that plan within two months—an overwhelming majority of which supported net neutrality—the commenting deadline was extended to September 15th. A final ruling may come as early as the end of the year.
The Latest on: Net neutrality
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The Latest on: Net neutrality
- The FCC Just Restored Net Neutrality. One Lawmaker Says It's Especially Important for Startupson April 26, 2024 at 9:42 am
Net neutrality may be back, but the jury is still out among the business community over how much of an impact the Obama-era measure really has.
- Everyone is celebrating the net neutrality victory, but what the heck is it?on April 26, 2024 at 9:25 am
The Federal Communications Commission received near-universal praise after it voted to repeal rules that would have eliminated net neutrality.
- Net Neutrality Is Back. Yes, You Should Careon April 25, 2024 at 6:21 pm
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) killed net neutrality back in 2017 under former president Donald Trump, but on Thursday, it brought it back from the dead.
- Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providerson April 25, 2024 at 5:15 pm
The FCC on Thursday restored rules to prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others — for instance, by slowing or blocking certain content ...
- The FCC restores net neutrality - here's what it means for the interneton April 25, 2024 at 2:37 pm
The FCC voted 3-2 to reinstate rules ensuring equal treatment for all internet traffic, but that doesn't mean the issue is settled.
- F.C.C. Votes to Restore Net Neutrality Ruleson April 25, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Commissioners voted along party lines to revive the rules that declare broadband as a utility-like service that could be regulated like phones and water.
- Net Neutrality Returns to a Very Different Interneton April 25, 2024 at 12:42 pm
The Federal Communications Commission has voted—once again—to assert its power to oversee and regulate the activities of the broadband industry in the United States. In a 3-2 vote, the agency ...
- FCC Votes To Restore Net Neutrality: A Win For Consumers And Democracyon April 25, 2024 at 12:29 pm
The FCC has voted to restore net neutrality—restoring the FCC's authority under Title II of the Communications Act to enforce open-Internet protections.
- Net neutrality is back: FCC bars broadband providers from meddling with internet speedon April 25, 2024 at 12:18 pm
U.S. regulators are reviving a rescinded rule, laying the groundwork for for a major court fight with the broadband industry.
- Net neutrality rules restored by US agency, reversing Trumpon April 25, 2024 at 10:03 am
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules and reassume regulatory oversight of broadband internet rescinded under former President ...
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