FCC stirs old debate on "Internet neutrality"

       The head of the US Federal Communications Commission proposed new rules on Monday that would require Internet providers, including wireless carriers, to treat all Web traffic equally.
       There are few goals more essential in the communications landscape than preserving and maintaining an open and robust Internet, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said in a speech at the Brookings Institution.
       It is vital that the Internet continue to be an engine of innovation, economic growth, competition and democratic engagement, Genachowski told the Washington-based think tank.
       He said the FCC needed to play a role in ensuring network neutrality the principle that Internet service providers (ISPs) provide the same speed and level of service to all Web users, regardless of size.
       The new rules would prevent ISPs,for example, from blocking or slowing bandwidth-hogging Web traffic such as streaming video or other applications that put a strain on their networks or from charging different rates to users.
       I believe the FCC must be a smart cop on the beat preserving a free and open Internet, Genachowski said.
       Anticipating the objections of some ISPs to the move, he said:This is not about government regulation of the Internet. Its about fair rules of the road for companies that control access to the Internet.
       The FCC chairman proposed adding two new principles to those currently guiding the regulatory bodys approach to maintaining an open Internet and extending them to wireless carriers.
       Genachowski said the first would prevent broadband providers from discriminating against particular Web content or applications while allowing for reasonable network management.
       This means they cannot block or degrade lawful traffic over their networks,or pick winners by favouring some content or applications over others, he said.
       Nor can they disfavour an Internet service just because it competes with a similar service offered by that broadband provider, Genachowski added.
       This principle will not prevent broadband providers from reasonably managing their networks, he said.During periods of network congestion, for example, it may be appropriate for providers to ensure that very heavy users do not crowd out everyone else.
       Genachowski also stressed that the open Internet principles apply only to lawful content, services and applications not to activities like unlawful distribution of copyrighted works.
       The second principle would ensure that ISPs be transparent about their network management practices, the FCC chief said.
       Genachowskis remarks are his first major pronouncement on the hotly contested issue since taking office and are likely to draw fire from ISPs, which have generally resisted interference in management of their networks.
       During his White House campaign,President Barack Obama came out strongly in favour of net neutrality, which is backed by companies such as Google,Amazon, Yahoo!, eBay and consumer advocacy groups, but opposed by telecommunications, wireless and cable companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.
       Genachowski said he would like to see the five-member FCC consider the new rules in October and announced that the FCC had launched a website,openinternet.gov, to encourage public participation in the process.