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Congress Unhappy With FCC's Proposed Changes To Net Neutrality

Presto Vivace writes with news that the FCC's suggested net neutrality rules are facing opposition in Congress. "FCC chairman Tom Wheeler took the hot seat today in an oversight hearing before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to testify about current issues before his agency, including net neutrality. The overriding theme of the day? Pretty much everyone who spoke hates the rule the FCC narrowly approved for consideration last week — just for different reasons." Wheeler himself made some interesting comments in response to their questions: "[He said] the agency recognizes that Internet providers would be disrupting a 'virtuous cycle' between the demand for free-flowing information on one hand and new investment in network upgrades on the other if they started charging companies like Google for better access to consumers. What's more, he said, the FCC would have the legal authority to intervene. 'If there is something that interferes with that virtuous cycle — which I believe paid prioritization does — then we can move against it,' Wheeler said, speaking loudly and slowly. A little later, in response to a question from Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Wheeler cited network equipment manufacturers who've argued that you can't create a fast lane without worsening service for some Internet users. 'That's at the heart of what you're talking about here,' Wheeler said. 'That would be commercially unreasonable under our proposal.'" Here are instructions for how to send your comment to the FCC for those so inclined.

4 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The FCC has no right to dictate terms by geekoid · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can NOT have competition without regulation. What you have is a single monopoly.
    This isn't selling 10 dollar t-shirts, it's infrastructure. How do you propose the market would solve thins? how would you want to ahve everyone who want to compete to have to dig up your yard and street?

    You idea is foolish and naive at best. It flies in the face of history. There has NEVER been a similar situation that when unregulated goes well fore the consumer.
    Read more history and less Fox.

    TO anyone who has read the history of the markets, you statement look stupid.. no not stupid, fucking stupid.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  2. Re:We can still win this one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    FYI, When filing these comments, choose your words carefully as they will be publicly posted online under your real name for anyone to read in the future.

  3. Re:I'll take the USPS over Comcast by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    USPS has not received any subsidy from the US government since 1982.

  4. Re:I'll take the USPS over Comcast by the+biologist · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://deliveringforamerica.com/infographic-the-truth-about-postal-finances/

    as of 2006, the USPS has been required to pre-finance retiree benefits for the next 75 years. The govt as a whole uses the USPS as a profit center, while making it look like the USPS is in debt.