The U.S. must preserve an open Internet in order to bring the full benefit of broadband to rural areas of the U.S., a Federal Communications Commission report on rural broadband said.
Without net neutrality protections, broadband users won't see as much innovation as possible on the Internet, said the report, released Wednesday by FCC acting Chairman Michael Copps…
Read full story: PC World
Related topics: Access Providers, Broadband, Net Neutrality, Policy & Regulation, Telecom
Comments
Unfortunately, some folks at the FCC must be drinking the Google Kool-Aid. The fact is that regulation — in particular, the onerous regulation that hides behind the innocent-sounding moniker "network neutrality" — would kill innovation and competition. Preventing ISPs from managing their networks would make it impossible for them to maintain good quality of service or to remain financially sustainable, thus hurting rather than helping free speech.
What's more, the FCC asks in the report for the ability to decide what is and isn't allowed on a "case by case" basis rather than by setting clear rules which are published for public comment before they take effect, as is required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This is essentially a request for carte blanche — for completely arbitrary power.