FCC to Promote Net Neutrality, Set New Rules
In a move seen as offering potential benefits to consumers, the Federal Communications Commission is planning to set new rules enforcing so-called net neutrality.
The shorthand term refers to the practice of treating all legal Internet traffic the same way, rather than, as some companies do, making it difficult or impossible for users to combine applications from competing service-providers. Net neutrality could, opponents say, create an Internet slowdown, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Although the FCC already has established four guiding net neutrality principles, it has no formal rules specifying what can and cannot be done. A formal rule-making process is expected to begin at a meeting in October.
The FCC’s chairman, Julius Genachowski, is expected to discuss the proposed new net neutrality rules more specifically at a meeting on Monday, reports the Post I.T. blog of the Washington Post.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com (2008): “FCC Chair Says Net is Neutral Enough; No New Legislation Needed”
Information Week: “FCC Chair Preps Net Neutrality Speech”
New York Times: “FCC Chairman Seeks to Protect Free Flow of Internet Data”
PC Magazine: “FCC Reportedly Prepping Net Neutrality Rules”
Updated at 6:30 p.m. to link to New York Times article.
