The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted in favor of Internet Neutrality, which means Internet providers including cellular providers cannot provide faster Net connections in exchange of money.
Shorn of all the debate around it, here’s what the FCC vote means for the common Net users living in the United States of America:
It means a Net Provider shall act as a neutral provider & not as a gate-keeper in deciding which Sites to give priority to & allow them faster download speeds, relegating others to slower speeds. As an example, providers could have taken fees from larger Internet companies to push their Sites down the Internet lanes into your homes at faster speeds compared to other Websites.
Way back in 2010, the FCC had voted to preserve this neutrality of the Internet. This ruling, though, was challenged by “biggies” such as Verizon. Following this, in Jan. 2014, a US Court of Appeals had ruled that the FCC had no jurisdiction to pass regulations involving broadband providers. But the court had also ruled the FCC could re-classify broadband & that’s exactly what the latter did.
Today’s FCC ruling comes after over a year of intense public debate around the world. It received, for example, 4 million comments from Internet users, companies, advocacy groups & associations.
The FCC ruling, many expect, will now be challenged in a court of law & also get embroiled in US politics. But for now, well, nothing much changes in the lives of those who use the Internet.
In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a … – New York Times
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
The commission chairman, said the F.C.C. was using “all the tools in our toolbox to protect innovators and consumers” and preserve …
What The FCC’s Net Neutrality Ruling Means For You – Huffington Post
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
In a landmark move Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission approved new rules supporting net neutrality. The regulations aim to ban Internet service providers (ISPs) from giving …
FCC adopts historic Internet rules – CNNMoney
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
The FCC just granted itself the power to defeat a raging, fire-breathing monster: the monopolistic network owners who can kill Internet freedom by blocking websites — or by creating an Internet fast …
FCC Passes Net Neutrality Rules in Victory for Open-Internet Activists – NBCNews.com
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
There are countries where it is routine for government, not the consumer, to determine who has access and what kind of content can be accessed by its citizen …
FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules Expected to Unleash Court Challenges – Wall Street Journal
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
Republicans in Congress oppose the rules, which are expected to be approved by the FCC on Thursday, saying they represent heavy-handed regulation that …
FCC votes for net neutrality, a ban on paid fast lanes, and Title II – Ars Technica
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
The most controversial part of the FCC’s decision reclassifies fixed and mobile broadband as a telecommunications service, with providers to be regulated as…
‘Locked and Loaded’: FCC primed for vote on Internet regs, amid 11th-hour drama – Fox News
http://news.google.com Feb 26, 2015
For now, the plan is in the FCC’s hands. At issue is a proposal that proponents say would ensure an “open” Internet, by growing the government’s power to oversee …
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