ISPs Begin Sales Pitch For a New, Flimsy Net Neutrality Law We've noted for a while that in concert with trying to kill FCC net neutrality rules, ISPs are pushing lawmakers to craft new net neutrality legislation. Why? They know that if such a law gets written at all (not all that likely with this Congress), it will largely be written by lawyers and lobbyists for AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. The end result will be a law that sounds like it was intended to protect consumers, but will have so many loopholes as to fail utterly at that purpose. It would, however, pre-empt any FCC rules or authority on the subject, putting the debate to bed by effectively legalizing net neutrality violations.

you. In an ideal world, having Congress craft meaningful net neutrality protections would be a great way to avoid the partisan whims of the FCC. But this isn't an ideal world; it's one where AT&T, Verizon and Comcast wield incredible influence over the lawmakers that are supposed to be representing One of those lawmakers, House Rep. Greg Walden, began what will be an intense sales pitch by ISP lobbyists to gain support for such a loophole-filled law. Walden reached out to numerous executives including the bosses of AT&T, Comcast, Facebook and Google. The purported purpose -- to hold a hearing in September trying to get all of these companies on board with the ISPs' plan: quote: In a letter requesting their appearance, Walden said the open internet rules put in place during the Obama administration -- which subject broadband providers to utility-like regulation -- “disrupted the longstanding regulatory balance that for years allowed the internet to grow and thrive.” As Pai looks to repeal them, however, it gives both sides “an opportunity to rethink the current regulatory model and build new rules from the ground up” in Congress, Walden continued. “With your help, I know we can craft a fair, predictable and sustainable solution that not only benefits edge providers and internet service providers, but also the billions of consumers worldwide that deserve a free and open internet,” he told chief executives in his letter requesting their help. The problem? Even many of the non-ISP companies invited haven't been fans of real net neutrality rules. Facebook has recently been repeatedly criticized for The problem? Even many of the non-ISP companies invited haven't been fans of real net neutrality rules. Facebook has recently been repeatedly criticized for abusing net neutrality in India and other countries. And Google likes to pretend to support net neutrality, but hasn't actively supported it since around 2010 -- when the company began pushing into both fixed (Google Fiber) and wireless (Project Fi, Android) services. Even Netflix, once a major ally in the net neutrality fight, has softened their stance now that they're large and successful.Most of these companies just want this conversation over so they can get down to the business of making money while ignoring both consumer preferences -- and the broader problems caused by a lack of real broadband competition. This law will profess to fix the problem, but buyer beware: ISPs have about as much interest in real, tough net neutrality protections as you do being stuck in traffic. Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon see this as their chance to finally "settle" the argument with rules in name only, so supporters of net neutrality need to watch this legislative push with informed skepticism.







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Most recommended from 3 comments



TIGERON

join:2008-03-11

Boston, MA Motorola MG7550

8 recommendations TIGERON Member Yawn. Call me when AT&T implodes in on itself due to good ole Randall's greed, Frontier rebounds all thanks to the next generation of g.fast and becomes what Verizon is minus the wireless part, or a meteorite is about to hit the earth. The world is going to shit in a hand basket.



This NN thing will sort itself out. We however are certifiably screwed one way or another all thanks to the lying jackass heading the FCC. Skippy25

join:2000-09-13

Hazelwood, MO 5 recommendations Skippy25 Member Easy bill to write ISPs are dumbpipes and they should send and receive every lawful packet their users request as fast as the equipment is capable.

tshirt

Premium Member

join:2004-07-11

Snohomish, WA 3 recommendations tshirt Premium Member Just say NO! avoid the half-assed temporary description, better non at all then "almost good"