I don’t mind "paid prioritization," for the Internet access part of the
bandwidth from the ISP, as long as the user is paying. For example, in
principle, a household should be able to decide which of the services it uses
should be given priority, say in a large household.
I also don’t mind the concept that an IPTV service can give its IPTV
subscription service either a separate slice of spectrum, or a higher priority
level, than its Internet access ISP service. That distinction was already made
years ago by the FCC, and it was a good distinction to make. The rules that
apply to Internet access are separate from what applies to the walled garden
service.
What should really piss people off is the idea that your monopolistic ISP
should start getting in bed with different Internet sites and services, like
these guys have a habit of doing with cable TV channels, also on their Internet
access ISP slice of spectrum. Deciding what users get to watch, in what
"bundles," at what price points. If we had ample choice of ISP, MAYBE.
And for the naïve people who claim that won’t happen, wake up. Even if they
resist their urge to play these games immediately, they have proven to be
unable to control themselves long term. Even going to the extreme of bragging
about it, in court.
Courts, do the right thing. Chairman, we don’t want Internet access to emulate
the cable TV service you seem infatuated with. Please step down and give the
FCC back to the people, and not to your three or four very special interests.
Bert
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http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db1221/DOC-348406A1.pdf
What Happens Next with Net Neutrality?
Prepared by the Office of FCC Commissioner Clyburn
December 21, 2017
On December 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to
dismantle the agency’s 2015 net neutrality rules. As a long-standing champion
of net neutrality and one of the two FCC Commissioners who vociferously
objected to last week’s decision, Commissioner Clyburn believes it is important
for consumers and small businesses to understand what happens next.
What protections will I lose online as a result of the FCC majority’s repeal of
net neutrality?
Once the FCC’s net neutrality repeal action goes into effect, broadband
providers will be allowed to:
o Block lawful content.
o Throttle (slow down) lawful content.
o Engage in paid prioritization (i.e. favor content of companies who can afford
to pay).
o Unreasonably interfere with the ability of consumers and content providers to
reach one another.
o Engage in unreasonable interconnection practices.
Previously, broadband providers were prohibited from engaging in all of the
above practices and were also required to:
o Provide robust transparency to consumers about the service they receive.
o Not use other services to evade net neutrality requirements.
o Comply with statutory directives regarding privacy, universal service,
infrastructure deployment, disability access.
Which protections will exist after the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality goes into
effect?
Broadband providers will only be required to provide limited transparency to
consumers about the service they receive.
What does net neutrality’s repeal mean for my freedom on the internet?
It means that your broadband provider is in control of your online experience.
You will have fewer protections online.
This does not mean you will immediately see anti-consumer practices, but as the
outrage and awareness fade, you will likely see providers roll out plans and
features that are inconsistent with net neutrality.
When does the FCC’s net neutrality repeal happen?
Probably not for several months. This order specifies that the repeal will not
happen until the FCC gets approval for the revised transparency rules from the
Office of Management and Budget.
When can parties sue the FCC if they disagree with the net neutrality repeal?
Parties may do so after the text is published in the Federal Register, which is
likely a matter of days or weeks at the most.
When can Congress act to reverse the FCC’s net neutrality repeal?
After the text is both published in the Federal Register and submitted to
Congress, there is a limited period of time (60 session days) for them to
introduce a resolution of disapproval, under the Congressional Review Act.
Several members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have already
said they intend to introduce a resolution of disapproval.
What options are there for individuals or businesses that cannot or do not plan
to sue the FCC?
Everyone can continue to make their voices heard in and around every “hall of
power” when it comes to their opinions about net neutrality. Educate your
friends and family about why robust net neutrality protections are necessary to
prevent broadband providers from engaging in anti-consumer practices.
Reminder: the FCC does not have the final word. “We the People” do.