FCC Backs Net Neutrality, Chairman's Full Speech Posted

ArmyofGnomes writes "FCC chairman Julius Genachowski delivered Monday on President Obama's promise to back 'net neutrality' — but he went much further than merely seeking to expand rules that prohibit ISPs from filtering or blocking net traffic by proposing that they cover all broadband connections, including data connections for smartphones. Genachowski stated: 'I understand the Internet is a dynamic network and that technology continues to grow and evolve. I recognize that if we were to create unduly detailed rules that attempted to address every possible assault on openness, such rules would become outdated quickly. But the fact that the Internet is evolving rapidly does not mean we can, or should, abandon the underlying values fostered by an open network, or the important goal of setting rules of the road to protect the free and open Internet. ... In view of these challenges and opportunities, and because it is vital that the Internet continue to be an engine of innovation, economic growth, competition and democratic engagement, I believe the FCC must be a smart cop on the beat preserving a free and open Internet.'"

Comments

Re:analysis please

[polar red]

I rather rely on government regulation than the 'self-regulation'-scam the industries are brainwashing america with for the last 3 decades.

Constitutional issue

[Attila Dimedici]

Upon what legal basis does the FCC regulate the Internet? What law did Congress pass giving the FCC authority to regulate the Internet? Net neutrality is not something that should grow out of FCC regulations, it should result from a law passed by Congress.
I have some reservations about the Constitutionality of the Federal government regulating the Internet, but those are a matter of interpretation and their is an argument to made that the federal government does have the Constitutional authority to do so. However, even if one takes the position that the Federal government has the Constitutional authority to regulate the Internet, that regulation should grow out of explicit laws passed by Congress. As far as I know, no new laws regarding regulating the Internet have been passed by Congress recently, therefore I fail to see how the FCC can suddenly decide to enforce net neutrality. Either there is a law calling for net neutrality or there isn't. If there is such a law, why haven't people been arguing on the basis of it demanding the FCC take action. If there isn't such a law, where does the FCC suddenly come up with the authority to implement net neutrality.
If the FCC can find the authority out of existing laws to enforce net neutrality, they can find the authority to regulate content in other ways that would not be so nice.

Re:analysis please

[polar red]

That's because : YOU'RE doing it WRONG. Good regulation should create a level playing field for as many people and businesses as possible. states and countries should NOT compete with each other, but because businesses have become so large that they have states and countries in a strangehold, businesses can pitch them against each other, which is only good for the upper class/big bucks, not for people and planet.