US FCC favors Net neutrality

On Thursday, three members of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to preserve Net neutrality, or the idea that the Internet should be regulated as a public utility rather than a commercial offering. The plan, which applies to mobile as well as wired broadband Internet, bans service providers from blocking lawful content or slowing individual services to support rival sites that paid for faster delivery.

"The Internet is the ultimate tool for free expression," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said ahead of the vote on Thursday. "The Internet is too important to allow broadband providers to be making the rules."

The FCC made its decision on Thursday after a year of jostling by cable and telecom companies and Net neutrality advocates. During that time, the FCC had received a record-setting 4 million public comments and a call from US President Barack Obama urging commissioners to adopt the strongest rules possible.

High-priced 'fast lane'

Unveiled early in February, Chairman Wheeler's plan regulates broadband Internet service providers as "public utility" carriers, revamping FCC rules struck down by a federal court last year. The debate had come down to a choice between an open Internet - with the same rules, download speeds and costs for all - and allowing broadband companies to charge a premium to put certain online services in a "fast lane." Websites like Netflix, Twitter and Yelp had supported the Net neutrality effort, with big Internet providers such as AT&T and Verizon in opposition.

Wheeler said preserving Net neutrality would foster a free and open Internet, on which broadband services would not become "gatekeepers" for online content. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who also voted in favor of the plan, said it would "give those with deep pockets as well as empty pockets the same opportunity to succeed."

"We cannot have a two-tiered Internet that speeds the traffic of the privileged and leaves the rest of us lagging behind," said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who cast the third vote in favor.

The ruling is likely to face fresh court challenges, and the Republican-controlled Congress could seek to overturn or modify the regulations.

mkg/msh (Reuters, AFP, dpa)