Net Neutrality
The issue is coming to a head this year, as the FCC is investigating complaints from consumer groups and legal scholars that Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable ISP, secretly hampered file sharing by its subscribers. File sharing, which allows Internet users to download movies, music and software among each other with software like BitTorrent and KaZaa, has been a haven for piracy, though legal uses are proliferating as well. By interfering with traffic, the groups said, Comcast is determining what will and won't work, violating the Internet's unwritten tradition of "net neutrality" - the principle that traffic be treated equally.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695252333,00.html
Appeals Court Rules FCC Lacks Authority to Enforce Net Neutrality
A federal appeals court has ruled the Federal Communications Commission lacks the authority to prevent internet service providers from blocking and controlling internet traffic. The FCC has long sought to force internet service companies to give web users equal access to all websites, a concept known as network neutrality. But the decision grants the companies further control over internet traffic while threatening the future of internet regulation. We speak with Josh Silver, co-founder of FreePress.net. Ref. Source 6
FCC approves 'open-Internet' net neutrality rules
The Federal Communications Commission approved 3 to 2 net neutrality rules Thursday, which aim to keep the Internet open equally to all consumers. "In general, if an action hurts consumers, competition, or innovation, the FCC will have the authority to throw the flag," FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler said earlier this month. The regulations prevent Internet service providers from charging content providers for speedier delivery of their content on "Fast lanes" Or deliberately slowing the content from content providers that may compete with ISPs. Ref. USAToday
I'm glad the FCC got involved to save us all from the monopolization of the internet. The internet should always be free and remain free as well.
Federal court upholds FCC and Obama-supported net neutrality rules
The rules were crafted to prohibit Internet service providers (ISPs), mostly large cable or telephone companies, from blocking and slowing the transmission of content and from the practice of "Paid prioritization," paying an ISP for faster delivery of content. Ref. USAToday.
I agree, net Neutrality must be defended. Internet providers should not be allowed to show bias or favoritism, nor allowed to censor information for the free access of the internet. To increase data flow in some areas and throttle it in others.
The FCC wants to repeal net neutrality, and it just made its opening move
FCC blames the rules for keeping broadband out of poor neighborhoods. Net neutrality supporters say they protect a free Internet. A feisty comment period is likely. Ref. Source 5o.