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Net Neutrality? No Longer.

Computerworld is reporting that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that the FCC does not have the authority to implement the rules prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing Web traffic. The FCC passed the net neutrality rules, also called open Internet rules, in December 2010, but Verizon Communications challenged them, saying Congress did not give the agency the authority to regulate broadband providers.

In the ruling, the court notes that broadband providers are not 'common carriers', and therefore FCC rules do not apply.

In a statement given to MarketWatch, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said

"We will consider all available options, including those for appeal, to ensure that these networks on which the Internet depends continue to provide a free and open platform for innovation and expression, and operate in the interest of all Americans."

Most recommended from 153 comments



anon_anon
@comcastbusiness.net

9 recommendations

anon_anon

Anon

RIP Netflix, Youtube, and Amazon Streaming and VOIP providers

Watch all streaming video from competitors of the incumbent provider magically get throttled back to sub 1 Mbps speeds. Then watch latency to all VOIP providers increase to 1000ms. If you call your ISP to complain, the fix is to use their favored streaming service and buy their VOIP product.
riffin1
join:2013-12-17
Saint Paul, MN

3 recommendations

riffin1

Member

Oh boy

We can always trust the free market.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

2 recommendations

tshirt

Premium Member

Save your breath, Tom...

... forget the appeal, the ruling was clear.
Instead go to Congress with a outline of a plan to add regulation.

Remembering of course that excess regulation may discourage investment and stifle innovation.
Tread lightly and think through the long term goals and policy matters.