DNS - DNS: New Net Neutrality Proposal from FCC Could Lead to Higher Costs for Consumers

The new FCC (News - Alert) proposal on net neutrality faces strong Republican opposition in Congress and possibly a court challenge. Still, the commissioners narrowly approved the plan this week.

By a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission paved the way to protect net neutrality on broadband networks, reported TMCnet.

The new rules are being scrutinized around the world. In Canada, a report from the Toronto Sun said that Internet traffic management rules put in place by Canadian authorities last year were similar to what was approved by the FCC, legal analyst Michael Geist told the Sun. If anything, the Canadian rules are “stronger,” Geist said.

In addition, Internet prices could increase as a result of the new rules from the FCC.

Technology analyst Carmi Levy told the Sun the new rules could soon lead to “longer-term price increases for everyday consumers” in both the United States and Canada.

Under the plan, Internet service providers (ISPs), such as AT&T (News - Alert) or Verizon, will be prevented from blocking access to lawful websites and content, according to media reports. The plan also affects wired broadband providers.

The plan calls for basic new rules. The major ones found on the FCC website include:

Transparency: Those involved need to reveal “network management practices, performance, and commercial terms” of “broadband Internet access services.” The information needs to offer enough details so consumers can make “informed choices.”

No blocking: There is no blocking of “lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.” There is no blocking of users from accessing legal websites, nor can apps be blocked “that compete with the provider’s voice or video telephony services.”

No unreasonable discrimination: There is no unreasonable discrimination when “transmitting lawful network traffic” over a broadband Internet access service used by consumers.

The vote by the FCC was partisan. FCC commissioners who are Democrats – Michael Copps, Mignon Clyburn and Julius Genachowski – voted for the plan. Republican commissioners, Robert McDowell (News - Alert) and Meredith Attwell Baker, were opposed to it, according to a report from TMCnet.