-By Scott Cleland
The FCC’s claims that their proposed net neutrality regulations would just “preserve” the open Internet are simply not true. The facts clearly state that the FCC’s proposed regulations would: Be a big change in FCC Internet policy; Implement big Internet policy changes without Congressional authorization; and Change the Internet in big ways. (The one-page PDF version of this post is here)
The FCC’s proposed net neutrality regs are a big change in FCC Internet policy; they would:
- Replace the FCC’s voluntary net neutrality guidelines with mandated net neutrality regulations;
- Selectively apply net neutrality regulations to only broadband and not to applications/content providers like the current principles do;
- Add two completely new net neutrality principles that are not found in law or congressional policy:
- Mandate the strictest non-discrimination requirement in the last 75 years;
- Mandate public disclosure of detailed proprietary network management techniques for the first time;
- Expand application of net neutrality to wireless and satellite broadband for the very first time;
- Expand consumers access to content entitlement by adding entitlement to send/distribute content as well;
- Redefine entitlement to competition in the current fourth principle, to favor resale competition over facilities-based competition;
- Subject broadband companies to a new “Mother-may-I” FCC approval process for offering new managed services and for experimenting with new business models; and
- Subordinate private standard-setting bodies, like the IETF, to new FCC omni-technical oversight/approval.
How FCC Regulation Would Change the Internet”