FCC Passes Strict Net Neutrality Regulations On 3-2 Vote
TechCrunch 2/26/15
As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed new net
neutrality regulations today on a vote of 3-2, with the Commission’s two
Democratic appointees joining Chairman Tom Wheeler in voting yes. The
Commission’s two Republican-appointed members both voted no.
Notably, the FCC’s plan is now known to have undergone a last-minute
revision to remove a potential weakness in its formation, pointed out by
Google, that might have allowed for some paid prioritization. If you
were curious about Google’s take on net neutrality, that fact should
settle the question.
The CEO of Etsy, an online marketplace, spoke before the commission
voted to “applaud” the FCC for putting into place “bright line” rules,
and “voting to protect the Internet.”
Up first from the commission, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said in her
remarks that the “framers” of America “would be pleased” with the FCC’s
plan. The commissioner went on to call today’s vote the FCC’s “third
bite at the apple.” Clyburn also disclosed, as was previously reported,
that she had helped shape part of the order, and also listed a number of
changes she would have preferred to see in the order itself. The
commissioner wrapped by arguing that individuals who are worried about
rate regulation are worrying unnecessarily.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel argued that the United States’
“Internet economy is the envy of the world. We invented it. The app
economy began right here on our shores.” She went on to call the
Internet “our printing press” and “our town square.”
The Internet is too important to allow broadband providers to make
the rules.
— FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler
Rosenworcel also called attention to the massive outpouring of public
response to net neutrality: “Four million Americans wrote to this
agency…Whatever our disagreements are on net neutrality, I hope we agree
that this is democracy in action and something we can all support.”
Commissioner Ajit Pai said that it was “sad to witness” the FCC
replacing Internet freedom with “government control.” Pai continued,
saying that the FCC only voted on the rules that it did due to intrusion
into the agency’s processes by President Barack Obama.
Pai was typically terse: “The plan is not a solution to a problem,” he
said, going on to call the plan itself “the problem.”
Commissioner Michael O’Reilly criticized the proposal to reverse Title
II: “I see no need for net neutrality rules. I am far more troubled the
commission is charting for Title II.” He continued, calling the move a
“monumental and unlawful power grab.”
O’Reilly then called the forbearance of certain Title II provisions
“fauxbearance.”
“No one, whether government or corporate, should control free and open
access to the Internet,” Chairman Wheeler said. “The Internet is too
important to allow broadband providers to make the rules.” He then said
it was nonsense that this was a secret plan to regulate the Internet.
“This plan is no more a plan to regulate the Internet than the First
Amendment is a plan to regulate free speech,” he said.
Legal action in response to the new rules is expected. Chairman Wheeler
decided to invoke Title II to reclassify broadband service, something
that has long been anathema to ISPs. So, while this vote was important,
the life of net neutrality is not yet safe. Congress has agitated
against the FCC’s plan in recent weeks.
This story is developing.
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Duane Whittingham - N9SSN
(ARES/RACES, EmComm, Skywarn & Red Cross)
(Melrose Park Public Safety & Homeland Security)
http://www.mpdes.org
http://www.radiodude.info
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