Posted on 01/11/2015 12:06:17 PM PST by Libloather
The State of the Union address offers President Obama a huge platform to double down on his call to reclassify the Internet as a utility, advocates say.
Obama inserted himself into the net neutrality fight in November, when he urged the Federal Communications Commission to adopt strong regulations ensuring that the Internet remains a level playing field for businesses and the public.
But the White House has yet to say whether the issue will make it into his agenda setting speech.
The President should reiterate his support for a free and open Internet, Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) said, noting its economic importance. We cannot afford to have Internet fast lanes or a two-tiered Internet system in this country.
The speech on Jan. 20 will come a little more than a month before the FCC votes on new Internet rules, which have yet to be released.
Matsui and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) recently re-introduced legislation that would force the FCC to ban Internet service providers from negotiating deals with websites for faster service precisely what the FCC is trying to block with its new rules.
Last November, Obama joined advocates in calling for the commission to reclassify broadband Internet similar to traditional telephones under Title II of Telecommunications Act, to enforce stronger rules.
Obamas recommendation in a YouTube video has been viewed more than 800,000 times, and nearly four million people submitted comments to the FCC on the issue last year.
But the State of the Union address in front of both chambers of Congress provides a much larger stage. Around 33 million viewers regularly tune in, though viewership has declined in recent years.
The FCC is in the end stages of finalizing its open Internet rules meant to ensure all Internet traffic is treated equally. A mere mention in Obamas speech would help build public support ahead of the FCC vote next month, advocates say.
It would give everyone who is pushing for strong net neutrality rules an additional boost, said Michael Weinberg, vice president of Public Knowledge. If the president talks about an issue you care about, and he talks about it in a way that aligns with your beliefs, that is a great thing to happen.
The administration has just begun highlighting issues that will make it into the speech, including a series of cybersecurity and Internet access initiatives to be highlighted this week. But the White House declined to preview whether net neutrality would make the cut.
I think itd be interesting if he mentioned net neutrality in the [speech] with everything else going on, said Gabe Rottman of the American Civil Liberties Union. His earlier call for Title II was surprisingly, and welcomingly, unequivocal.
Weinberg, of Public Knowledge, emphasized that while a mention would be helpful, it is not vital since Obama has already made such a public recommendation. On top of that, Chairman Tom Wheeler is already hinting at siding with Obama.
Last week at the Consumer Electronic Show, Wheeler gave the strongest indication yet that he would use the authority, mentioning that mobile calling has successfully operated under similar regulations for years.
Internet service providers and Republicans have pushed hard against reclassification, arguing it would raise taxes and fees on consumers and stifle innovation. The contentious issue is expected to spur litigation, after courts struck down previous rules in the past.
Obama is expected to use a portion of the speech to highlight other issues in the technology world, including increased broadband Internet access, privacy and cybersecurity.
I can’t imagine that even leftists support this idea.
Obama needs to present his case before Congress? Why? He doesn’t need Congress.
Obama declaring the internet a public utility?
Worst. Idea. Ever.
I predict hackers are not going to like this, see it for what it is, and we may even get to see some secret communications from the president to his Muslim lieutenants about what his plans for the destruction of the U.S. entail...
Will he be the first chief executive to deliver the SOTU from a foreign nation? How about Cuba? Jamaica? .. No, Kenya.
Everyone gets two. No names required.
The little b***h just HAS to get his grubby communist agenda into everything.
.
> Obama needs to present his case before Congress? Why? He doesnt need Congress.
And we know damn sure who they would side with if he did present his case. The People are no longer represented by those whom they elect...
Wouldn’t be surprised at all if 0bambam uses the SOTU to promote more of his socialism, hopefully more in Congress will shout “you lie.”
I don’t understand why Barry just can’t do a little “soft shoe” at his BIG State of the Union Show and call that good. We don’t need anymore of his bright ideas.
Is this even an issue, or is it a solution in search of a problem?
Anything to avoid talking about the 3000 pound muzzlim gorilla in the room (and the 180 pound one reading the teleprompter).
Why would he do that? To raise taxes, because it’s a utility—no rock left unturned in search of revenue? Or, was he bribed by someone in the streaming business, like Netflix?
“Net Neutrality” is a nice sounding buzzword, but so what—there’s so many buzzwords for him to choose from. Is it the “War against data-packets?”
When the Internet was fresh and new the government did not allow regulation or taxation because it would hamper growth. So it grew and grew. Now they’re attempting to do both. Telephone service pre-phone company breakup was very expensive. Then Reagan deregulated it. In just months new products and services sprang up. The industry grew by leaps and bounds. That’s what deregulating did. Make no mistake, if the government regulates the cost of everything internet related will go up.
So to keep the internet free we need lots of tough new rules. ooookayyy.
Just like the IRS is a level playing field, right
Fock the fraud Soetoro.
define the internet as a public utility
public utilites are governed by rules for the “public good”
pass rules = regulate
regulate = control
control = censorship
CENSORSHIP = GOOD BY FREE REPUBLIC AND CONSERVATIVE OPINION
It really is that simple!
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