FCC Votes Yet Another Study of Net Neutrality

yuna49 writes to let us know that the US Federal Communications Commission last week announced a Notice of Inquiry (PDF) into: "...the behavior of broadband market participants, including: (1) How broadband providers are managing Internet traffic on their networks today; (2) Whether providers charge different prices for different speeds or capacities of service; (3) Whether our policies should distinguish between content providers that charge end users for access to content and those that do not; (4) How consumers are affected by these practices." eWeek reports that the study is targeted at whether broadband providers are treating some content providers more favorably than others. Distinctly absent is any discussion about port filtering or other restrictions on Internet usage. The two Democrats on the Commission pressed for a broader "Notice of Rulemaking" to move more quickly towards a policy of non-discrimination. The Republican majority ignored these arguments and voted for an Inquiry, to which the Democrats acceded.

Comments

Speaking as a non-Republican non-Democrat

[Heddahenrik]

This is a typical thing that happens in a two-party system. About half of the people will start to think something quite insane just because it feels good to agree.

So to all you can't-think-for-myself democrats: Net neutrality laws are plain stupid! Get a grip, damn it! Why do you think that the government is fit to rule how Internet providers charge for their services? Why do you keep on making up problems that just aren't there?

We are having quite fine Internet outside of USA. It's cheaper and faster. But then we don't have morons elected for their good looks who are trying to poke around and disturb the Internet.

Please note that I'm not saying that net neutrality is a bad thing. That we'll see. It's the stupid useless laws and all the discussions about them that is madness. The big old companies are ripping you off with IP and patent laws, and you're debating details in the Internet-bills?!? If your ISP is not offering good access to all the sites you want, then get a better one! It's not like the congress can solve routing problems.

Re:Republican Majority

[omeomi]

Maybe because a majority of the people (voters) are Republicans? That is what majority means.

How do you figure? The last election was decidedly favorable for the Democrats...And the last presidential election was won by a very slim majority. Given that an incumbent generally has pretty big advantage, especially during wartime, the best you could argue is that half of the voters are Republicans. Realistically, it's much less than that, because there are a lot of people who vote for whomever they like in a given election, not necessarily along party lines...