Monday, March 5, 2018

The Net Neutrality Prize - A Follow-Up Post

As a follow-up to my recent post on the Net Neutrality battle being waged between the ISPs and the edge providers it appears that the recent neutrality rule rollback by the Federal Communications Commission has spawned  discussions on the internet of everything.

Both sides came to Capitol Hill in a discussion hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus, to discuss possible approaches to agreement. But, try they might the conversation proved  to be as much about what still separates the parties than it was about agreement on the issues.

Both sides do agree on rules preventing blocking and throttling of content, even restoring them to the FCC.  However, lobbyists for the edge providers are  pushing for a Congressional Review Act resolution to nullify the FCC's December rollback of the rules. Pro ruling advocates are also backing  State efforts to reverse the FCC decision through their own neutrality bills or executive orders mandating neutrality in ISP contracts.

The pro-rule activists want the FCC to be able to regulate broadband rates if said rates are a barrier to deployment.  While the ISPs say the FCC should not be in the business of regulating broadband rates, - which should be market driven.

So, as it now stands both sides are at logger-heads and the debate remains unsettled.

Keep in touch,

Jim Lavorato

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