FCC proposes new net neutrality rules

The way regular consumers use the Internet is about to change. That is, of course, if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has its way.

The FCC has proposed plans that will allow Internet service providers to charge companies a premium for access to their fastest available lanes, thus impacting the idea of net neutrality.

Net neutrality refers to the idea, or concept, that Internet service providers should treat all Internet traffic as equals in regards to the speed of its delivery. In layman’s terms, it’s the idea that the Internet, like water, gas and electricity, is a utility that should not be restricted.

“With this proposal, the FCC is aiding and abetting the largest ISPs in their efforts to destroy the open Internet.”

A court decision back in January struck down prior FCC rules that were meant to ensure that providers didn’t discriminate by blocking and/or slowing down certain content. Since then, the FCC has apparently had a change of heart on how it views this concept of net neutrality.

The new rules proposed by the FCC would allow the ISPs to require money for special treatment. Companies that refuse, or simply can’t afford, to pay the new premiums could be left with slower speeds that allow it to barely get to the consumers.

The new regulations are on the agenda for the FCC’s May 15^th meeting.

In a statement released to the public, Free Press, which is an advocate for true net neutrality, said that these new rules would change the Internet for the worse.

“With this proposal, the FCC is aiding and abetting the largest ISPs in their efforts to destroy the open Internet,” Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron said. “Giving ISPs the green light to implement pay-for-priority schemes will be a disaster for startups, nonprofits and everyday Internet users who cannot afford these unnecessary tolls.”

Wheeler’s attempt at clarity doesn’t do much to rest the uneasy feeling for most as he fails to clarify what the FCC believes to be “commercially unreasonable”.

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler believes that the public is being misinformed on the new proposal, and did his attempt to clear up that “misinformation” via a blog post on the FCC website.

“To be very direct, the proposal would establish that behavior harmful to consumers or competition by limiting the openness of the Internet will not be permitted,” he said.

He continued to state that all ISPs “not act in a commercially unreasonable manner to harm the internet, including favoring the traffic from an affiliated entity.”

The idea of the Internet becoming a public utility is one that providers have been dead set against since the rise of the service began. If it were to become such a utility, providers would have to answer to stricter guidelines and regulations.

What does this mean for the average user? It’s actually pretty simple: if you want access to the things you love online, it’s going to cost you even more money.

Now, the impact on the average user likely wouldn’t be felt for some time. However, as the months and years go on, websites and companies paying for this added speed boost will pass on the increased bill to its consumers, making it even harder to afford things that currently are relatively cheap.

That $7.99 per month Netflix bill? Say hello to $15-$20 per month. Freely browsing YouTube? How about now paying for that access. All of this can happen when/if these new regulations go into effect.

Smaller websites, like blogs, that couldn’t afford to pay the higher speed fees that ISPs would charge to companies would then become much slower loading over time should they choose to not find a way to pony up the extra cash.

It all leads to bad news for the consumer who would then be forced to choose a provider based on the speeds of the websites that they like to visit.

Something like this could even impact how students learn. With online class participation on the rise, schools that use an online program that is managed by a company that has a deal with an ISP could very well see students effected. Student A could have that service which would allow faster access to content whereas Student B, a pupil who doesn’t have the right provider, could suffer and be at a disadvantage.

Now, all of these hypothetical situations aren’t set in stone as certain. But, with the proposed changes at hand, the country is just a few short months/years away from seeing the Internet change in a major, and likely not-so-good, way.

Verizon, which sued the FCC for the right to these types of deals, stated on Thursday that it had no intention of restricting its customers from viewing certain websites.

The statement also read that Verzion has “always made clear that we support an open Internet and we have publicly committed to ensuring that customers can access the Internet content they want, when they want and how they want.”

——————

Do you want to keep the internet the way it is today? If so, contact your local congressman to let him/her know your thoughts. You can also contact the chairman of the FCC Tom Wheeler directly at Tom.Wheeler@FCC.gov.

To place a complaint by phone, dial 1-888-225-5322. When prompted select “1” and then “5” to be connected to an agent, and share your voice.