The White House released a statement on Monday that explained President Obama’s support of net neutrality, which is the principle of equal treatment of Internet traffic. The President’s statement has elicited positive feedback from many consumers whereas some Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, have argued that the President’s plan for net neutrality was counterproductive.
"Today's announcement by the White House, if acted upon by the FCC, would be a mistake that will do tremendous harm to the Internet and to U.S. national interests," said Jim Cicconi of AT&T.
“‘Net neutrality’ has been built into the fabric of the Internet since its creation — but it is also a principle that we cannot take for granted. We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. That is why today, I am asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to answer the call of almost 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality,” said President Obama.
The statement supported the reclassification of the Internet as a utility, much like water and electricity. In order to for this reclassification, the Internet would need to be placed under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. Obama highlighted four rules that he promoted: no blocking, no throttling, increased transparency, and no paid prioritization.
No blocking describes the right of consumers to all content that is legal; ISPs cannot block legal content from its users. No throttling prohibits ISPs from allowing faster speeds for certain content over others. Increased transparency refers to the clarity between consumers and ISPs. The final rule bars the ISPs from acting as gatekeepers, or giving priority and faster Internet speeds to services who pay a fee.
The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has received criticism from the public in the debate for net neutrality. Obama claims to have entered this debate because of 4 million public comments about the FCC’s regulations of the web. The President’s bold statement in favor of net neutrality did not bring immediate agreement or disagreement from the FCC. The commission simply said it would take the statement into consideration.
“The FCC was chartered to promote competition, innovation, and investment in our networks. In service of that mission, there is no higher calling than protecting an open, accessible, and free Internet. I thank the Commissioners for having served this cause with distinction and integrity, and I respectfully ask them to adopt the policies I have outlined here, to preserve this technology’s promise for today, and future generations to come,” said Obama.
Many believe that the President’s statement was a large step for the rights of Internet consumers. Others, although hopeful, fear that the statement is no guarantee of improved regulation by the FCC, which is an independent organization, towards net neutrality.
