\tA majority of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members voted to approve controversial plans from chairman Ajit Pai (pictured, centre) to disassemble the country\u2019s net neutrality rules.<\/p>\n
At an open meeting on 18 May, the committee rubber-stamped plans\u00a0unveiled earlier this month [1], though not without opposition\u00a0from several members,\u00a0including commissioner Mignon Clyburn (pictured, left).<\/p>\n
Proposals will now go to what promises to be a lively three month public consultation before a final decision is made.<\/p>\n
In what the FCC said was \u201ca first step toward restoring internet freedom, promoting investment, innovation and choice,\u201d members\u00a0voted to approve the reversal of open internet rules brought in during the previous FCC administration in 2015.<\/p>\n
Current regulations \u2013 dubbed net neutrality laws\u00a0\u2013 state ISPs must treat all internet traffic equally and are unable to prioritise specific services to the detriment of others.<\/p>\n
Critics say the\u00a0rules\u00a0hamper innovation and investment, while supporters maintain\u00a0the 2015 order\u00a0protects the\u00a0integrity of the internet.<\/p>\n
At the meeting,\u00a0Pai said: \u201cToday\u2019s notice is the start of a new chapter in the public discussion about how we can best maintain a free and open internet while making sure that ISPs have strong incentives to bring next-generation networks and services to all Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Hollow theory”
\nDespite the result of yesterday’s\u00a0vote, Pai faces detractors from both within and outside of the FCC.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Clyburn said the proposal \u201ccontains a hollow theory of trickle-down internet economics, suggesting that if we just remove enough regulations from your broadband provider, they will automatically improve your service, pass along discounts from those speculative savings, deploy more infrastructure with haste, and treat edge providers fairly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt jeopardises the ability of the open internet to function tomorrow as it does today,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Following the vote, The Internet Association (IA) \u2013 which counts Google, Amazon, Twitter and Microsoft as members \u2013 said current regulations were working and had not hampered investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe internet industry remains opposed to any changes to FCC regulations governing net neutrality,\u201d IA president and CEO Michael Beckerman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cISPs should not be able to use their position as gatekeepers to prioritise their own content over others. Internet companies stand with consumers, startups, and other beneficiaries of the ecosystem in our fight to maintain a free and open internet.\u201d<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/pai-draws-battle-lines-for-net-neutrality-fight\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A majority of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members voted to approve controversial plans from chairman …<\/p>\n
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