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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Tech News > President Obama voices support for Title II reclassification of ISPs

President Obama voices support for Title II reclassification of ISPs
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NewsPoster
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Nov 10, 2014, 01:50 PM
 
President Barack Obama has voiced his support for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reclassify Internet services under Title II of the Telecommunications act. Wading into the net neutrality debate again, Obama has issued a statement asking for the FCC to "answer the call of almost 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality."

"I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online," states Obama. "The rules I am asking for are simple, common-sense steps that reflect the Internet you and I use everyday, and that some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) already observe."



The four rules laid out by the President relate to common themes within the net neutrality debate. ISPs should not block legally-accessible content, should not offer any paid prioritization, nor throttle connections to intentionally slow specific services, in order to maintain a "level playing field essential to the Internet's growth." The fourth rule, increased transparency, asks for the FCC to make "full use of the transparency authorities" a court recently upheld, and in some cases "to apply net neutrality rules to points of interconnection between the ISP and the rest of the Internet."

"If carefully designed, these rules should not create any undue burden for ISPs, and can have clear, monitored exceptions for reasonable network management and for specialized services such as dedicated, mission-critical networks serving a hospital. But combined, these rules mean everything for preserving the Internet's openness."

Specifically speaking about Title II, Obama believes consumer broadband should be reclassified "while at the same time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services." He calls them a "basic acknowledgment of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone – not just one or two companies."

President Obama's comments are not likely to be well received by the telecommunications industry. Verizon has already threatened legal action if the FCC implements Title II oversight over the industry, over reports FCC chief Tom Wheeler considering a hybrid Title II which would regulate ISPs but permit "fast-lane" access. Obama's rules go further than Wheeler's proposal, and may cause more unrest from major Internet providers if carried out.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Nov 10, 2014 at 03:09 PM. )
     
darkelf
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Nov 10, 2014, 03:07 PM
 
if only he had some sort of actual authority in government, we'd see something done. alas.
     
robttwo
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Nov 10, 2014, 06:31 PM
 
Anyone who thinks the government regulating something is preferable to industry, is an idiot.
     
Flying Meat
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Nov 10, 2014, 07:39 PM
 
gee, robttwo. I was going to say the exact opposite, since we already know industry doesn't do that, pretty much, ever.
     
JackWebb
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Nov 11, 2014, 01:53 AM
 
Ideally consumers regulate industry with their wallets so long as government doesn't go mucking things up by protecting certain crony businesses with their regulations bought and paid for by lobbyists et al. Regulation by consumer decisions is far more democratic. Even here it will not be perfect but that's just not possible.
     
null_pointer
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Nov 11, 2014, 02:21 AM
 
Could someone tell me how they are going to regulate their ISP with their wallet? Canceling Comcast and going with what, cellular? Good luck with that. Face it, industry will only "do the right thing" for consumers when their are viable alternatives. And there simply aren't any here. They're public utilities.
     
Grendelmon
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Nov 11, 2014, 02:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by JackWebb View Post
Ideally consumers regulate industry with their wallets so long as government doesn't go mucking things up by protecting certain crony businesses with their regulations bought and paid for by lobbyists et al. Regulation by consumer decisions is far more democratic. Even here it will not be perfect but that's just not possible.
How exactly do consumers regulate monopolies with their wallets?
     
Grendelmon
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Nov 11, 2014, 02:22 PM
 
Originally Posted by robttwo View Post
Anyone who thinks the government regulating something is preferable to industry, is an idiot.
Exactly! Just ask Alan Greenspan about financial derivatives.
     
robttwo
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Nov 12, 2014, 08:06 AM
 
All of you who want the government in every aspect of your online experience - then support this. I guess the fed's teets tastes good to you.
     
Grendelmon
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Nov 12, 2014, 02:38 PM
 
Originally Posted by robttwo View Post
All of you who want the government in every aspect of your online experience - then support this. I guess the fed's teets tastes good to you.
Newsflash: the United States Federal Government already IS in every aspect of your online experience. Courtesy of the NSA.
     
   
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