New article: NET NEUTRALITY RULES ONCE AGAIN UNDER CONSIDERATION read more at here http://www.spinonews.com/index.php/technology/item/3369-net-neutrality-rules-once-again-under-consideration

Federal Communications Commission has decided to ask for public comment on whether it should "keep, modify, or eliminate" basic protections before implementing its own proposal to scrap the foundation for its own 2015 net neutrality rules.

On Wednesday, Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman had given a proposal to remove the FCC’s two year old classification of broadband as a broadly regulated telecom like service. But while releasing the text of the plan on Thursday FCC intended to consider retaining some rules prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing web-based content and services.

On release FCC official clarified that the goal of the proposal is to maintain a free and open internet, but they declined to comment on how that would happen if the agency decides to eliminate all net neutrality rules.

During its forthcoming meeting on May 18, the FCC is scheduled to vote on whether to put out the proposal for public comment, the first step toward repealing the net neutrality rules.

Pai's proposal proclaims that the regulation of broadband as a common carrier, a change from its earlier classification as a lightly regulated information service, hurt broadband investment.

The telecom-style regulations have "put at risk online investment and innovation, threatening the very open internet it purported to preserve," the proposal says. "Investment in broadband networks declined. Internet service providers have pulled back on plans to deploy new and upgraded infrastructure and services to consumers."

Supporters of the rules have promised to flood the FCC with comments and protests in support of the strong regulations.

 

Pai's proposal "would take away the American people’s access to a free and open internet and give control to big corporations," Senator Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, said by email. "A free and open internet is essential to our democracy and our economy."