FCC Passes Net Neutrality Rules

On December 21, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission passed new Net Neutrality rules to enable "customer choice, freedom of expression, user control, competition, and the freedom to innovate."

The new network neutrality framework is based upon three rules:

1. Transparency — "A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service shall publicly disclose accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services sufficient for consumers to make informed choices regarding use of such services and for content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings."
2. No Blocking — "A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management.
   
   "A person engaged in the provision of mobile broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block consumers from accessing lawful websites, subject to reasonable network management; nor shall such person block applications that compete with the provider's voice or video telephony services, subject to reasonable network"
3. No Unreasonable Discrimination — "A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service. Reasonable network management shall not constitute unreasonable discrimination."

Proposed in early December by Chairman Julius Genachowski, and based on a proposal by Rep. Henry Waxman, the new Network Neutrality rules mark the end of years of debate.

CWA and Speed Matters support the new rules because they will protect an open Internet, and spur innovation, investment and jobs creation.

FCC Acts to Preserve Internet Freedom and Openness (FCC)