Book Board Chat

The New FCC's Net Neutrality Rules

Net neutrality - what does it mean? Will it have an impact on our lives? Will it affect how we access the Web? The short answer is: YES.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the rules which will begin on November 20. Those rules give the FCC the authority to investigate and regulate how ISP’s manage their networks. The FCC hasn't released the rules yet, but they have provided an overview of what's included. It breaks down to three high-level rules:

1. Transparency: Does your ISP slow down its network at peak times? Does it have a usage cap? What about roaming fees? The transparency requirement basically requires Broadband providers to be more transparent about their activities: how they manage their networks, how well their networks perform, and details about their plan options and pricing. Most ISPs would argue that they already do this.

2. No Blocking: Much of this debate started in 2007 when Comcast was accused of blocking access to networks like BitTorrent because people using BitTorrent on Comcast's network were slowing down the experience for everyone else. Comcast denied cutting off access completely but said it did delay access to the sites during peak times. Under the new rules, an ISP would not be able to pick and choose apps or service to block in order to improve network performance. An ISP would not be able to block access to Netflix's streaming service, for example because a select few people were clogging the system.

3. No Unreasonable Discrimination: “Network management," governs how an ISP like Comcast or Time Warner Cable runs their operations. Under the new rules, ISPs can manage their networks, but they can't discriminate against specific applications. In other words, Comcast could slow down its entire network to handle an influx of users, but it could not cut off a specific, bandwidth-hungry service like Netflix. The FCC does acknowledges that network management is necessary to block harmful things – like mal ware and child porn – from making its way onto ISP networks.

Can I Report a Violation? If you think your ISP is violating these rules, you can complain to the FCC. The agency has two types of complaint processes: an informal consumer complaint and a more organized formal process. Consumers can go to the FCC Web site and file their complaint at no charge. This is mainly for those who suspect that something is going on, but lack the ability to pull together a more formal complaint.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374638,00.asp#fbid=pZbQ0nbYmW_

D.C. Court to Hear Challenges

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear the challenges to the FCC’s Net Neutrality rules. The new rules prohibit broadband Internet providers from deliberately slowing or blocking a subscriber’s network traffic. These regulations have been officially filed in the Federal Register, which allows them to be subject to legal challenges. Verizon has filed a complaint against the new rules feeling they overstep legal boundaries set by the law. The hearings begin in a few weeks before the rules go into effect.

http://www.radio-info.com/news/net-neutrality-update-dc-court-to-hear-challenges