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Net neutrality rules passed by US regulator

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發表於 2015-2-27 11:53:25 | 顯示全部樓層 |閱讀模式
26 February 2015 Last updated at 18:01
By Jane Wakefield, BBC Technology reporter

Net neutrality rules passed by US regulator

New rules on how the internet should be governed have been approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

In what is seen as a victory for advocates of net neutrality, the commission voted in favour of changes proposed by chairman Tom Wheeler.

Three commissioners voted in favour and two against.



The US Telecommunications Industry Association said that broadband providers would take "immediate" legal action over the rule changes.

The main changes for broadband providers are as follows:

Broadband access is being reclassified as a telecommunications service, meaning it will be subject to much heavier regulation

  • Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
  • Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
  • Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their networks, will also be regulated
  • Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt with on a case by case basis
  • All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
  • The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls


Ahead of the vote, commissioners heard from a variety of net neutrality advocates, including the chief executive of online marketplace Etsy and a TV drama writer. Web founder Sir Tim Berners-Lee also contributed via video link.

Columbia Law School Prof Tim Wu, who originally coined the phrase net neutrality, welcomed the ruling.

"It is a historic day in the history of the internet," Prof Wu said. "Net neutrality, long in existence as a principle, has been codified in a way that will likely survive court scrutiny. More generally, this marks the beginning of an entirely new era of how communications are regulated in the United States."

"I think both the Obama Administration and the Federal Communications Commission can consider the rule a legacy achievement."

'Misguided'

But broadband provider Verizon said that the rules being adopted by the FCC were "written in the era of the steam locomotive and the telegraph".

"Today's decision by the FCC to encumber broadband internet services with badly antiquated regulations is a radical step that presages a time of uncertainty for consumers, innovators and investors," it said in a statement.

"History will judge today's actions as misguided".

Scott Belcher, chief executive of the Telecommunications Industry Association, said that the "onerous set of rules" was an "over-reaction from the FCC".

He predicted a two-pronged response from the broadband providers.

"They will take legal action right away and they will continue to work in Congress to get legislation to address these rules," he told the BBC.

US broadband providers are estimated to spend around $73bn (£47bn) a year on upgrading infrastructure. Net usage is expected to double over the next 10 years and data transmissions to increase eight-fold.

"The internet is built on infrastructure. Even to keep at a steady state providers are going to have to invest in infrastructure but they need certainty that they can get a return on their investments," said Mr Belcher.

He added that there were concerns that future administrations may use the rules to impose even more restrictions on broadband providers.

"The next administration may want to introduce price controls or control infrastructure help where cables can be laid. They could drive the internet to a halt."

Fast lanes

The need for new rules was a result of a legal action taken in January 2014 by broadband provider Verizon, which challenged existing net neutrality guidelines.

The court found that the FCC had improperly regulated internet providers as if they were similar to a public utility when they were officially classified as information services.

It spurred calls for the FCC to reclassify broadband as a utility, with content giant Netflix, one of the most vocal lobbyists.

Hints that the commission was planning on rewriting the rules to allow internet fast lanes was met with a volley of criticism.

A record four million comments were sent to the regulator, campaigners protested outside its Washington headquarters and President Obama eventually intervened, urging the FCC to adopt the "strongest possible" rules.
 樓主| 發表於 2015-2-27 11:58:59 | 顯示全部樓層
TIMELINE TO SAVE THE INTERNET (from http://www.savetheinternet.com/sti-home )

Jan. 14, 2014:
A federal court strikes down the FCC’s 2010 Open Internet Order.

April 19:
The FCC’s new proposal is leaked — and public interest in Net Neutrality soars.

May 15:
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler officially proposes his flawed rules. Hundreds of people converge outside the FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. and rallies break out in cities across the U.S.


July 15:
On the day initial public comments on the FCC’s proposal are due, the agency’s servers crash thanks to the heavy traffic. Within a few short hours Free Press and allies mobilize to hand-deliver hundreds of thousands of comments. The agency makes the unprecedented move of extending its deadline by three days.

July-August:
The SUMMER TO SAVE THE INTERNET: Activists participate in dozens upon dozens of in-district meetings with congressional offices, rally outside fundraisers President Obama attends in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and file comments in record numbers at the FCC in favor of real Net Neutrality.

Sept. 10:
The Internet Slowdown. On Sept. 10, hundreds of organizations and online companies — including Netflix, Kickstarter, Etsy and Tumblr — display a spinning icon representing a slow-loading Internet on their websites. This massive day of action drives 2 million emails and nearly 300,000 calls to Congress, and 777,364 people file comments with the FCC.

Sept. 15:
The period for public reply comments closes. A record-breaking 3.7 million people have filed comments — and most support real Net Neutrality. Big rallies are held in New York City and Philadelphia.

Oct. 21
Activists rally in College Station, Texas, and pack a hearing convened by FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, a Net Neutrality foe.
Oct. 27
Free Press and allies organize a big speakout in New York City to highlight the voices of the communities the FCC's decision will most impact.

Oct. 30
The Wall Street Journal reports on new rules under consideration — rules that would still allow slow lanes online. A huge backlash follows in the press and among public interest groups.

Nov. 10
President Obama releases a video statement urging the FCC to reclassify broadband under Title II.

Dec.
Net Neutrality supporters execute multiple actions in run-up to FCC vote.

Jan. 7, 2015
Chairman Wheeler signals that he will likely base new Net Neutrality rules on Title II. He announces that a vote on these rules will take place on Feb. 26.

Feb. 4, 2015
Chairman Wheeler confirms that his new rules use Title II to give Internet users the strongest protections possible.

Feb. 26, 2015
Victory! The FCC approves Title II-based rules that ban blocking, throttling and paid prioritization online.
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