The concept “net neutrality” translates to a commitment of non-discrimination regarding Internet content transmission. To this point, fixed and mobile Internet providers and users have understood this rule. That all changed in April, when a court handed down a ruling that the FCC did not have the authority to regulate Internet service providers.
This ruling caused some to worry that, free from the threat of enforcement, Internet service providers might begin exerting influence over Web site access obtained via fixed or mobile devices. Verizon and Google put their heads together and developed a proposal illustrating their net neutrality commitment and ways the FCC could have limited authority in terms of enforcement. This proposal represents the shared interests of access and content providers.
Some Internet users take issue with this proposal because they feel it leaves the concept of net neutrality too undefined. They believe this results in various loopholes that could potentially be used. They say the fact that the proposal portrays the FCC as having adjudicatory, not regulatory, authority is not sufficient.
All parties are now treading carefully and it is recognized that a final solution will require compromise. Internet users want to retain their right to easily access all content and providers view the ability to direct traffic as a desired commodity. The FCC wants to reclassify service providers so it can exercise additional regulatory authority.
The plan submitted by Google and Verizon may still hold the solution. Providers will need to be transparent about their decision-making. The FCC should be granted the authority to move things in the proper direction. The amount of oversight needed will change in directions unknown as the Internet evolves. Giving the FCC power to enforce anti-competitive practices rather than develop regulations seems to be the most sensible way to approach the issue.
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