Transmission Wire

Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has urged authorities for the formulation of ‘neutral internet’ rules to regulate content carried by service providers (ISPs) on their networks. The already existing policies will be polished and formalized to promote free and fair bandwidth and curb discrimination against applications and content.

There is a speculation that ISPs misuse their power to control networks, throttle traffic from competitors, block content they do not approve of, and thereby act as powerful censoring authorities. The FCC has called for legislation against such ISPs, including both the fixed and mobile service providers. Citing examples from the past, the FCC has claimed that broadband providers have been obstructing use of certain applications like VoIP services and peer-to-peer software, along with blocking political content. The Commission now wants stringent rules and laws to promote free, fair and unbiased service over the internet.

Genachowski added it is extremely important that broadband internet should continue to serve as a platform for economic growth, democratic engagements and competition. He stressed that it is high time the FCC acted as a smart regulatory authority to preserve internet as a free and open tool for information and communication.

The opponents of net neutrality will not support this move because they believe such regulations can discourage expansion and improvement plans of broadband providers. They are also expressing concerns that such policies will interfere in legitimate network management policies, like curbing speeds of users who download regularly during peak hours, thereby hogging bandwidth and hampering speeds of other users.