The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski has demanded the introduction of net neutrality rules to administer the internet content carried by service providers. Genachowski added that the FCC is already in the process of improving its existing policies, and that the new rules would put an end to the practice of blocking content or services by the ISPs according to their own interests.
The FCC is apprehensive that the leading network operators will abuse their authority as service providers to throttle traffic from competitors or block content they do not like their users to access. The new rules, if introduced, would target both the fixed and mobile broadband providers. The Commission has strengthened its argument against the ISPs by citing examples from the past where the providers have knowingly obstructed usage of certain applications like peer-to-peer software and VoIP services, and regulated political content. The body stressed that proper laws are required to ensure impartiality of ISPs towards content.
Genachowski underlined the importance of internet as a tool for innovation, economic growth, competition and democratic engagement. He also said the Commission must play a smart cop to protect a free and open internet.
This move by the FCC may face severe opposition from factions, which believe that such policies will put off the expansion and improvement plans of broadband providers. They say the proposed legislation will also hinder justifiable network management, like preventing domination of the bandwidth by users engaged in excessive downloading during peak times.