Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced net neutrality bills that would strip the Federal Communications Commission of its ability to effectively regulate the internet.


The new legislation is, at its root, a way to deregulate the telecom industry by curbing the FCC's powers. And unsurprisingly, this kind of legislation is being championed by politicians with financial ties to the telecom industry.

Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Fred Upton (R-Mi.) is a key force behind the bill. Upton, who has investments in AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon, said in a statement, "By turning the FCC away from a heavy-handed and messy approach to regulating the Internet, this draft protects both consumers who rely on Internet services and innovators who create jobs." The House Energy and Commerce Committee also includes Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) who has invested in AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon.


Though a White House official said today that new net neutrality legislation is not necessary, President Obama recommended a plan that would reclassify internet providers under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, giving the government agency more authority to quash telecom giants' plans to create "internet fast lanes."

The bills introduced by the GOP congressmen do not reclassify internet providers in that way. Instead, they would neuter the FCC's regulatory powers, which would reduce the amount of government oversight on internet providers.

The legislation follows eleven tenets for a watered-down, candy-ass, telecom-friendly version of net neutrality:

Prohibit throttling Prohibit blocking

Prohibit paid prioritization

Require transparency

Apply rules to both wireline and wireless

Allow for reasonable network management

Allow for specialized services

Protect consumer choice

Classify broadband Internet access as an information service under the Communications Act

Clarify that Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act may not be used as a grant of regulatory authority

Direct the FCC to enforce and abide by these principles

Most of these things are good! But stripping the FCC of its power is not good, and that's what "clarify that Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act may not be used as a grant of regulatory authority" means.


The complete text of the House bill is available below:


[The Verge]