A combination of rules for reclassifying broadband as a regulated telecom utility has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on February 26th 2015. They have circulated the rules this week and it is expected to be followed from May, 2 months following the circulation.
The rules which are directed towards mobile and wire line carriers prohibits ISPs from blocking online services, devices and content which are not harming the network for subscriber’s access. It also refrains from the corruption in legal internet traffic.
The 3rd rule has been on the limelight as it makes it illegal for ISPs to implant paid priorities when it comes to providing service. This rule also averts the deniability, blockage or control of traffic which is takes as stifling traffic streams. This will lead to net neutrality which refers to everyone having equality in the availability and services of the network traffic.
Internet providers are not pleased with these regulations as these since these rules will make FCC monitor the ISP practices. Several ISPs and their lobby groups have given indication that they might be taking legal action against these newly set rules as such actions have been proved successful in the past. A court appeal rules in favor of Verizon, which defied the FCC “net neutrality” rules.
The FCC authorities claimed that this 400 page worth set of rules offers clear and enforceable regulatory actions which protect the consumers. This case is being taken to court and will probably be more antagonistic than the previous case of Verizon.
It was only a matter of few hours after the release of the rules that ISPs and the industry groups to put across their resistance on these rules. The National Cable and Telecommunications Association, for example, says the FCC has gone “well beyond creating enforceable open Internet rules,” and is trying to force a “regulatory regime change” that will hurt consumers, draw extensive and expensive legal actions and lead to “ongoing market uncertainty.”
However, others have supported that it is essential to have free and equal internet for everyone.
