(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Not giving up on its desire to regulate Internet service providers, the Federal Communications Commission proposed putting Internet service providers into the same category as telephone companies in a move aimed at solidifying the agency’s authority over the broadband industry.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed on Thursday a so-called “Title ll” common carrier ruling, essentially grouping ISPs with telecom companies, enabling the FCC to enforce tougher regulations, including those that stop ISPs from throttling the bandwidth of suspected file sharers, blocking websites arbitrarily, or limiting what kinds of devices can be used on their networks.
“Over the past decade and a half, a broad consensus in the public and private sectors has developed about the proper role and authority for the FCC regarding broadband communications,” Genachowski stated. “This bipartisan consensus, which I support, holds that the FCC should adopt a restrained approach to broadband communications, one carefully balanced to unleash investment and innovation while also protecting and empowering consumers.”
Under Title II, the FCC would be able to keep ISPs from charging unreasonable fees, protect consumer privacy, and provide access for the disabled. Also, consumers could complain to the FCC about unjust practices, and the FCC could use government money to subsidize broadband for those who cannot afford it.
This seems to fit well within the FCC’s Joint Statement on Broadband: “Working to make sure that America has world-leading high-speed broadband networks—both wired and wireless—lies at the very core of the FCC’s mission in the 21st Century.” It is also aligned with President Obama’s core technology priorities including the introduction of fast, affordable, neutral Internet into every US home.
Last month, a court battle with Comcast revoked the FCC’s authority to regulate ISPs. In its move Thursday, writes Free Press policy counsel Aparna Sridhar, “the FCC took a crucial first step toward putting those policies back on solid legal footing.”
Unsurprisingly, US ISPs are displeased with the FCC’s attempts to regulate Internet access, the Inquirer reports. Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Verizon Communications and Comcast are all in opposition. Accusing the FCC of wanted to police the Internet, AT&T vice president Jim Cicconi told Wired magazine, “Make no mistake … the FCC is, in fact, and for the first time, regulating the Internet itself. We believe this is without legal basis.”
Moreover, neo-Conservatives on Wall Street and in the Republican Party argue that FCC regulation will kill jobs and inhibit business.
At the same time, this week’s proceedings have given hope to Net Neutrality proponents, however, Sridhar notes that the fight for regulation needs to make up a lot of ground. “We’re encouraged by the FCC’s decision to start on a path to protect the consumers, entrepreneurs, artists, citizens and businesses that rely on our broadband communications networks every day as a platform for speech, commerce, innovation, education and creativity,” she wrote. “But our efforts to make sustainable, sensible broadband policy have just begun anew.”
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