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
- FCC closes net neutrality loophole that could have left customers paying more for faster gaming appson May 8, 2024 at 2:35 pm
The net neutrality rules also prevent a wireless provider from blocking texts and other messages that the carrier might not agree with. Per Ars Technica, the FCC didn't release the Final Draft of its ...
- The FCC’s Net Neutrality Ruling Is Good News for Web3 Startupson May 8, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Last month’s FCC vote to restore net neutrality rules is a welcome example of forward-looking, innovation-friendly regulation. Rules aimed at ensuring an open internet are a model for the kind of ...
- FCC Closes ‘Fast Lane’ Loophole in Final Net Neutrality Orderon May 7, 2024 at 12:59 pm
The agency released a final order clarifying that pay-to-play internet "fast lanes" for consumers violate its net neutrality rules. It also guarantees the new rules won't preempt state broadband ...
- Commentary: Imposing net-neutrality regulations would be a step backwardon May 6, 2024 at 9:02 am
Heavy-handed regulation of the internet, as the Biden administration proposes, would stifle innovation, consumer choice and the very principles of a free and open internet.
- Welcome back, net neutralityon May 6, 2024 at 3:57 am
Net neutrality is the regulatory doctrine that says the company that connects you to the internet shouldn’t decide what you do on the internet. It prevents providers like Spectrum or Verizon from ...
- Net neutrality is an idea that should have stayed deadon May 6, 2024 at 12:00 am
In its eagerness to regulate, the FCC risks prohibiting a broadband practice that actually benefits consumers: setting prices based on use.
- Everyone is celebrating the net neutrality victory, but what the heck is it?on April 26, 2024 at 10:24 am
The Federal Communications Commission received near-universal praise after it voted to repeal rules that did away with net neutrality. Net neutrality refers to the idea that internet service ...
- 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.
- FCC's net neutrality vote affects your internet speed. We explainon April 26, 2024 at 6:25 am
The 3-2 vote along political party lines restores net neutrality – a policy that ensures your internet service provider doesn’t block or slow legal traffic, or charge more to deliver some content more ...
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