The Federal Communications Commission is proposing new rules that could give large Internet-based companies a leg up that they don’t need.
The new rules would allow an Internet service provider to charge content providers to grant them faster service, which consumer advocates say would allow large companies like Netflix, Google and Facebook to maintain their edge over startups because they can afford the faster service, the Associated Press reported recently.
The change could also end up costing consumers subscribing to paid online services more, if those companies pass the costs on to their customers ”“ as they most often do.
The ISPs ”“ like Time Warner or Verizon ”“ stand to make even more money off of such services as well, as they would provide the service. These large ISPs are no more in need of extra revenue than the website that would be purchasing the speedier service.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler disagreed with the charges and sought to dispel what he called “misinformation” about the proposal, which he presented to the agency’s other four commissioners in late April, according to the AP.
The proposal has not yet been made public, and isn’t expected to be until later this month.
Whatever it includes, however, “net neutrality” ”“ the principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally ”“ must remain a top priority, and any rules that would weaken that principle or give large Internet companies an advantage should be struck down by Congress.
Although most companies that stand to gain from such a change have remained silent, Netflix, which provides movies and television shows to subscribers via DVD or streaming on the Internet, came out against the FCC’s proposal, according to the AP.
“The proposed approach is the fastest lane to punish consumers and Internet innovators,” the company said in a statement.
Verizon, an ISP, also cautioned the FCC in moving forward with a proposal that would impact net neutrality, saying, “The FCC should be very cautious about adopting proscriptive rules that could be unnecessary and harmful,” Verizon spokesman Ed McFadden said in a recent statement, according to the AP.
Locally, an ISP owner in York County echoed those sentiments.
Fletcher Kittredge, founder of the Biddeford-based GWI, told the Journal Tribune in a recent interview that he fears that the new rules could be a hindrance to the innovation in technology as well.
“My gut instinct is this is really bad,” he said.
Once the proposal becomes public, it will give legislators the opportunity to comb through it, and hopefully, they will reject any language that would negatively impact net neutrality. Everyone can do their part by letting Maine’s congressional delegation know how they feel about the issue, given that consumers stand to be hurt the most if laws are made to benefit large ISPs and the companies that can afford the best and fastest Internet speeds.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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