US: FCC reveals plan to undo net neutrality

By Barry Eitel

SAN FRANCISCO

The head of the nation’s federal communications agency unveiled a resolution Tuesday that would allow Internet service providers to decide how fast to deliver content to consumers.

Opponents have charged that the order would repeal “net neutrality”, restrictions on companies like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T as to how they control the speed of the Internet.

Critics believe undoing net neutrality would give Internet providers permission to throttle access to websites unless extra fees are paid.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft of the “Restoring Internet Freedom Order” ahead of a vote on the rule change by commissioners scheduled for next month.

The order would specifically repeal rules put in place in 2015 by the FCC to protect net neutrality. The move was supported by former President Barack Obama.

Pai, who became the FCC chair earlier this year by President Donald Trump, argued the regulations harmed innovation and need to be repealed.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the Internet,” he said in the announcement. “Instead, the FCC would simply require Internet service providers to be transparent about their practices so that consumers can buy the service plan that’s best for them and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate.”

Supporters of net neutrality have vowed to fight the rule change.

“Internet rights are civil rights,” Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. “Gutting net neutrality will have a devastating effect on free speech online. Without it, gateway corporations like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T will have too much power to mess with the free flow of information.”

While Internet providers like Verizon have voiced support for Pai’s plans, many tech companies have expressed concern.

“The FCC’s net neutrality rules are working well for consumers, and we’re disappointed in the proposal released today,” Google said in a statement.