FCC Set To Explain What It Thinks Net Neutrality Means

Internet service providers and pundits will be keeping a close eye on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski today in Washington, D.C., where he will lay out his proposals about Net Neutrality and national broadband service.

Genachowski will present the FCC's recommendations this morning before a panel at the Brookings Institution concerning what some consider to be discriminatory practices by broadband providers. Genachowski is expected to clarify what constitutes FCC policies that the industry criticizes as being too murky.

Under the FCC proposals, industry powerhouses such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon would be prohibited from blocking or disrupting Internet service that the companies consider "bandwidth hogs," such as television shows. Net Neutrality calls for ISPs to treat all Web content the same, and not practice what many consider to be discriminatory practices by limiting access to some bandwidth-intensive media content.

Genachowski is seeking comment from ISPs and special interest groups before it issues a formal rule in October. It's no surprise that associations such as the CTIA, a wireless industry coalition, have raised objections about such proposals.

"We are concerned about the unintended consequences that Net Neutrality regulation would have on investments from the very industry that's helping to drive the U.S. economy," Chris Guttman-McCabe, a vice president at CTIA, told The Washington Post.

Proponents of Net Neutrality, however, welcomed the FCC oversight.

"Having rules in place will bring a degree of certainty that will help both carriers and consumers alike," said Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, a public interest advocacy organization, in a statement. "Carriers will know what is allowed and what is not -- consumers will be relieved to know they will be able to have access to any content and service on a nondiscriminatory basis."

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