Obama calls on FCC to keep Internet 'free and open'
Obama calls on FCC to keep Internet 'free and open'
The president says that all Internet service providers
should "protect Net neutrality" and agree to not block or throttle
Internet traffic.
by Don Reisinger November 10, 2014 6:56 AM PST
President Barack Obama has issued his strongest message
yet that the Internet should be kept "free and open."
In a statement released Monday, Obama called on the
Federal Communications Commission to maintain Net neutrality and ensure that
Internet service providers (ISPs) are not allowed "to restrict the best
access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and
ideas."
"That is why today, I am asking the Federal
Communications Commission to answer the call of almost 4 million public
comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net
neutrality," President Obama said in the statement.
The FCC is working on a new set of rules for Internet
oversight in the US. Those rules were expected to be made available later this
year, though reports now claim they may be delayed until early 2015.
The agency earlier this year saw a vigorous response from
the public to its call for comments on its Open Internet proposals, with the
FCC's servers sometimes stumbling and crashing under the overwhelming input.
The comment window closed in September.
Net neutrality, which is the principle that ISPs and
governments treat all Web traffic the same, has long been a debate around the
US with no clear victory for either side.
Consumers and many Internet companies argue that the
Internet should remain open and that all traffic should be treated equally.
Opponents have argued for a toll road of sorts that would provide better
service to companies that pay to support their high traffic volumes. That has
created widespread concern that ISPs could throttle service in some instance,
intentionally slowing down some content streams and speeding up others.
Earlier this year, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler came under
fire after an early proposal for his rules on Internet access were made
available. While Wheeler has said that he fully supports the open Internet, the
proposal could allow for paid prioritization of Internet traffic.
"I will say it again, there is nothing in the
proposal that authorizes fast lanes on the Internet," the chairman said
earlier this year. "It simply asks questions, such as should there be a
ban on paid prioritization. But there is nothing in the rule that authorizes
it."
At the crux of the debate over Net neutrality is Title II
of the Telecommunications Act. That section, which is more than 100 pages long,
regulates how common carriers must conduct business across all forms of
communication in order to act "in the public interest." Net
neutrality supporters say that the language is vague and could be used to
sidestep a free and open Internet and give ISPs the opportunity to sign deals
with Internet companies that would provide for prioritization of traffic.
Obama was clear on his commitment to Title II, saying
that broadband should be reclassified under the act "while at the same
time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to
broadband services."
"This is a basic acknowledgment of the services ISPs
provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations
necessary to ensure the network works for everyone -- not just one or two
companies," Obama said.
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