FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, today outline a framework for net neutrality for both wireline and wireless carriers. The agency also unveiled a web site dedicated to tracking this issue at www.openinternet.gov.
Today, September 21, he will be making announcements on the national broadband plan and other communications issues at the Brookings Institution. The event will be web cast live, starting at 10:00 a.m. will discuss his new study on what consumers in four countries, including the United States, want from mobile communications. Other panelists will participate in a discussion about broadband and mobile communications and offer ideas for improving access in the United States.
The Chairman is expected to endorse principles that would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications and require that providers are transparent about the network management practices they implement, as well as endorse four net neutrality principles the FCC had earlier endorsed (but not put into official rules) for wired networks.
UPDATE: It’s done. Engadget has links to:
- Genachowski’s speech proposing net neutrality rules
- Genachowski’s Huffington Post followup editorial
- The FCC’s new openinternet.gov website
- WSJ piece with industry reactions
Genachowski was careful to point out that the non-discrimination principle would not prevent ISPs from “reasonably managing” their broadband networks, notes Light Reading. “During periods of network congestion, for example, it may be appropriate for providers to ensure that very heavy users do not crowd out everyone else,” he said.
