FCC could be moving toward net neutrality

September 18, 2009

In a widely reported development, agency sources have indicated that the chairman of the FCC will propose sweeping new internet regulations that would require internet service providers to allow unrestricted access to all legal web traffic.

Opposition from industry is expected to be fierce, with telecom giants like Verizon and Comcast arguing that they have the right to restrict traffic on their networks. FCC guidelines currently do not permit this.

However, the possible changes would make the guidelines law. They would also assert that the FCC's rules apply to wireless internet as well as wired. Wireless providers have proven resistant to this notion, saying that high-bandwidth applications like file sharing services and video streaming could slow networks precipitously.

Other internet titans like Google and eBay are strongly in favor of net neutrality, believing that it will ease access to their online marketplaces and web apps.

The rules change would prevent situations like the one that boiled over this week when Google revealed to the FCC that Apple had blocked its voice service and a mapping service from iPhones, or the spat between IP telephony provider Skype and AT&T over use of the latter's networks.

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