This week, the FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, from many and various sources intends to change the classification of the Internet from Title I, which is an information utility, to Title II telecommunication's utility. The new reclassification will allow the Title II regulatory authority to enforce Net Neutrality. At this time is doesn't quite make a whole, more like a half change. The agency will not be enforcing the regulations to the fullest of extent, against broadband providers, immediately, though, it seems odd that the push would be to re-title, in order to enforce at some future point. Oddly enough, by this reclassification, the FCC is going against the last 10 years of its own legal rulings.
In order to sidestep the recent court's rulings against the FCC's authority to enforce Net Neutrality, and to be able to watchdog the internet, broadband usage, etc. the FCC is doing this unprecedented move. This will allow more ability for them to regulate what occurs on the Internet. Since the court's decision on Net Neutrality and it's stance that the FCC had no right or authority to enforce Net Neutrality, it is almost expected that this will open the door to further litigation by those affected by this decision that the FCC has chosen to make.
According to CNET news on May 7, 2010, by Declan McCullagh, this decision came down shortly after FCC Chairman, Genachowski received personal contact from from two senior Democrats saying that imposing Net neutrality regulations on broadband providers is “essential.” Though, it is not clear what the FCC will do, as far as, reach into the internet, thankfully at this point it is not on the same playing field as the censorship that some countries face, who are more suppressed than the United States is or has been.
Lack of understanding of Net Neutrality seems to be one of the bigger issues with understanding this issue better, that face most Americans. It is not the clearest thing to understand. Here a the best definition for what is occurring with Net Neutrality when it is enforced. This link is to a good amount of information on the definition of what Net Neutrality, so that an informed populace emerges. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality
Stay vigilant of what is occurring, watchful to what is disclosed, and aware that everything is not what it seems. Until next time, Have a great week!
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