“The Federal Communications Commission is expected to pass revised Internet regulations Thursday that could open the door for Internet service providers to start charging content providers for improved service,” Kaja Whitehouse reports for The New York Post. “That could mean Netflix [and similar services] could be forced to pay more for keeping its video stream flowing — a cost that could then be passed on to consumers.”
“The FCC’s commissioners will gather in Washington at 10:30 a.m. to vote on whether this should be allowed as part of a broader proposal to regulate Internet traffic,” Whitehouse reports. “The proposal is expected to pass in a 3-to-2 vote, with the two Republican commissioners dissenting, sources told The Post.”
“FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler has been under pressure to craft a proposal that could pass muster with his fellow commissioners since his last draft fell flat last month,” Whitehouse reports. “Silicon Valley and consumer-advocate groups raised a firestorm of protest over the draft, with many accusing Wheeler of ‘killing the Internet.'”
“Comcast’s David Cohen on Wednesday blasted the ‘almost hysterical reaction’ to the first round of proposed rules, saying pay-for-priority is already in motion,” Whitehouse reports. “Speaking at a conference in Midtown Manhattan, Cohen said billing content providers based on usage will be normal in five years. ‘Whatever it is, we’re allowed to do it,’ he said.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote back in August 2006:
We don’t presume to know the best way to get there, but we support the concept of “Net Neutrality” especially as it pertains to preventing the idea of ISP’s blocking or otherwise impeding sites that don’t pay the ISP to ensure equal access. That said, we usually prefer the government to be hands-off wherever possible, Laissez-faire, except in cases where the free market obviously cannot adequately self-regulate (antitrust, for example). Regulations are static and the marketplace is fluid, so such regulation can often have unintended, unforeseen results down the road. We sincerely hope that there are enough forces in place and/or that the balances adjust in such a manner as to keep the ‘Net as neutral as it is today.
And as we followed up in September 2009:
That we have the same Take over three years later should be telling. Government regulations are not a panacea, neither are the lack thereof. It’s all about striking a proper balance where innovation can thrive while abuses are prevented.
Make that “the same Take over seven years later.”
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
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