Posted on 11/10/2014 1:49:18 PM PST by upchuck
President Obama urged the US government to adopt tighter regulations on broadband service in an effort to preserve "a free and open Internet."
In a statement released Monday, Obama called on the Federal Communications Commission to enforce the principle of treating all Internet traffic the same way, known in shorthand as Net neutrality. That means treating broadband services like utilities, the president said, so that Internet service providers would be unable "to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas."
Obama wades into a contentious debate that has raged over how to treat Internet traffic, which has only heated up as the FCC works to prepare an official guideline. Those rules were expected to be made available later this year, though reports now claim they may be delayed until early 2015. The debate has centered on whether broadband should be placed under Title II regulation under the Telecommunications Act, which already tightly controls phone services.
Proponents argue that Title II regulation would ensure the free and fair flow of traffic across the Internet. Opponents, however, believe the reorientation would mean onerous rules that would limit investment in the infrastructure and in new services, and that toll roads of sorts would provide better service to companies that can support their higher traffic volumes. But that in turn has created widespread concern that ISPs could throttle service in some instances, intentionally slowing some content streams and speeding others.
Some of the major broadband providers have already spoken out against the plan. "Reclassification under Title II, which for the first time would apply 1930s-era utility regulation to the Internet, would be a radical reversal of course that would in and of itself threaten great harm to an open Internet, competition and innovation," Verizon said in an e-mailed statement.
"Today's announcement by the White House, if acted upon by the FCC, would be a mistake that will do tremendous harm to the Internet and to U.S. national interests," said Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs, in a statement.
"To attempt to impose a full-blown Title II regime now, when the classification of cable broadband has always been as an information service, would reverse nearly a decade of precedent, including findings by the Supreme Court that this classification was proper," David Cohen, executive vice president at Comcast, said in a statement.
Immediately following the president's announcement, Verizon and AT&T shares dropped sharply, but then just as quickly headed back up and have since been trading at slightly above Friday's closing price. Comcast's shares also slumped and have remained about 4 percent below Friday's close.
The broadband providers have advocated a "light touch" regulatory environment that has been in place, which they argue has been the catalyst for wireless and broadband investment.
The FCC earlier this year saw a vigorous response from the public to its call for comments on its Open Internet proposals, with the FCC's servers sometimes stumbling and crashing under the overwhelming input. The comment window closed in September.
In April, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler came under fire after an early proposal for his rules on Internet access were made available. While Wheeler has said that he fully supports the open Internet, the proposal could allow for paid prioritization of Internet traffic.
"I will say it again, there is nothing in the proposal that authorizes fast lanes on the Internet," the chairman said earlier this year. "It simply asks questions, such as should there be a ban on paid prioritization. But there is nothing in the rule that authorizes it."
Wheeler on Monday praised the president for his statement, calling it "an important and welcome addition to the record of the Open Internet proceeding" and noting that the FCC will incorporated into the record.
"Like the president, I believe that the Internet must remain an open platform for free expression, innovation, and economic growth. We both oppose Internet fast lanes. The Internet must not advantage some to the detriment of others," he said in a statement. "We cannot allow broadband networks to cut special deals to prioritize Internet traffic and harm consumers, competition and innovation.
At the crux of the debate over Net neutrality is Title II of the Telecommunications Act. The section, which is more than 100 pages long, regulates how common carriers must conduct business across all forms of communication in order to act "in the public interest." Net neutrality supporters say that the language is vague and could be used to sidestep a free and open Internet and give ISPs the opportunity to sign deals with Internet companies that would provide for prioritization of traffic.
Obama, however, said that the FCC should limit some of the regulation relating to rates and "other provisions less relevant to broadband," creating potential wiggle room for further debate on the limitations.
Still, the reference to Title II marks a clear stake in the ground for the White House.
"This is a basic acknowledgment," Obama said, "of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone -- not just one or two companies."
Same goes for Internet sales tax.
We all know that whatever the gvt touches turns to shit.
Let the NSA rule the net.
FCC should stick to censoring superbowl clothing malfunctions and leave the internet alone.
Bruce Bartlett says Obama is a conservative President.
lolz
Hey Obama—Keep your hands off of my internet.
The idiot is using “everyone” as a ploy to gain control for his own devise
Manbearpig invented the net.
It’s the Chicago mob.
Follow the money.
I’m sure there’s a regime affiliate or two standing to benefit here.
Obama is a hardcore Socialist and desires to regulate everything, even your internet and favorite websites.
Then they surcharge it like the phone bill so the freeloaders can get free internet. Big government needs big money.
Reclassification under Title II, which for the first time would apply 1930s-era utility regulation to the Internet,
“We cannot allow broadband networks to cut special deals to prioritize Internet traffic...”
In related news:
http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/boehner-kills-internet-sales-tax-bill/?dcz=
” Tax-free Internet shopping is safe for now thanks to Speaker John A. Boehner.
A bill granting states the ability to force out-of-state websites to collect sales tax is dead, according to Boehner’s spokesman.
“The speaker has made clear in the past he has significant concerns about the bill, and it won’t move forward this year,” said spokesman Kevin Smith. “The Judiciary Committee continues to examine the measure and the broader issue. In the meantime, the House and Senate should work together to extend the moratorium on internet taxation without further delay.”
“
Wow!! The gall of this guy in mind blowing!!
Talk about classic projection.
The truth is he wants to be the one restricting access and the one picking winners and losers.
Somebody needs to regulate the administration before it is too late.
If I were setting the GOP agenda the WH would be lucky to have hotel style toilet paper.
Their funding would be cut so bad that he might actually resign.
And he would have to buy his own commercial plane ticket home- wherever that is.
Got to let the heavy hand of government “regulate” the internet to keep it free. Hoo boy. Ain’t totalitarianism grand.
Ramirez cartoons cannot be posted due to copyright. Desist in doing so.
When you use a utility —let’s say power— you create public documents.
Lots of times they first spot pot growers by seeing the infra-red signature of equipment those guys use, but it’s legally a grey area.
Now they suspect what he’s doing, they then get his power bill, a public document, and if it’s SKY HIGH for, say, one person, then they can demonstrate reasonable suspicion, and they get a judge’s signature for a raid.
And then that guy goes away, surrenders cash and vehicles, maybe his house, too.
SO:
After you’ve been freeping and so on, it’s perfectly legal for them to see the details of your UTILITY USAGE, and presto..!
You’re a dangerous “terrorist”, or something.
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