James Delahunty
23 Sep 2009 17:51
The Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) proposals to ensure all traffic on the Internet is treated equally has come under fire from some wireless providers and politicians. The FCC wants to ensure that Internet Service Providers (ISP) cannot slow down or block bandwidth-hungry usage such as video streaming.
However, mobile operators claim that this new regulation would serve to damage innovation in the industry. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said that doing nothing was not an option, and previously stated that the rules were "not about government regulation of the Internet".
"History's lesson is clear. Ensuring a robust and open internet is the best thing we can do to promote investment and innovation," he said. "And while there are some who see every policy decision as either pro-business or pro-consumer, I reject that approach; it's not the right way to see technology's role in America."
However, the inclusion of wireless Internet traffic upset some in the industry. "We are concerned the FCC appears ready to extend the entire array of net neutrality requirements to what is perhaps the most competitive consumer market in America - wireless services," said AT&T's Jim Cicconi.
"The internet in America has been a phenomenal success that has spawned technological and business innovation unmatched anywhere else in the world," said David Cohen, executive vice-president at Comcast. "So it's still fair to ask whether increased regulation of the internet is a solution in search of a problem."
Verizon said that the FCC has no reason to impose new regulations that would limit consumer choice. Also opposing the "Open Internet" rules were some Republicans. The two Republicans on the FCC's board said they were unconvinced that there was widespread problems of ISPs blocking or limiting traffic in the country to justify new regulations.
In the U.S. Senate, six senators also introduced a measure that would cut the FCC's funding to develop new regulatory mandates. However, there was just as much support for the FCC's new proposals as there was opposition. Vint Cerf, often referred to as the "Father of the Internet", applauded the FCC's new proposals.
"The FCC took an important step in ensuring that the internet remains a platform for innovation, economic growth, and free expression," he commented on a blog. Outside of the industry, consumer groups also cheered it as a positive for Internet users in the country.
"This is a tremendous day for millions of us who have been clamouring to keep the internet free from discrimination," said Josh Silver, executive director of advocacy group Free Press.