Monty Solomon posted:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/01/ajit-pais-fcc-is-still-editing-the-net-neutrality-repeal-order/
I'm not holding my breath on this, expecting any half way sensible changes. The
corruption of this FCC clearly runs too deep. The slogans that emanate from the
Chairman sound about as detached from reality as the verbiage from yesterday's
Frankston piece. You know, like his claim that people think of Internet service
as a cable TV type of service. Here's the quote: "The debate over network
neutrality is framed within traditional telecommunications policy. As such it
considers the internet to be just another service like phone calls or cable
television." Whoee, how can anyone be so out of touch, to lump together
telephone service and cable TV. Or what about the claim that non-neutral
broadband service will level the playing field for Internet companies.
On the other hand, I have a lot more hope for a barrage of lawsuits to block
this government corruption. There is an amount of accountability to the
taxpayer, in government, that does not exist in private industry, and I'm
looking forward to seeing this at work.
Here's one glaring example of the corruption we're dealing with:
"At least one change to the repeal order was made at the request of the FCC's
chief technology officer, Eric Burger (not to be confused with Ars Technica's
Eric Berger). Burger noted in an internal FCC email that Pai's proposal would
allow ISPs to block legal Internet content as long as they disclose the
blocking, Politico reported before the vote. (The repeal will allow ISPs to
block, throttle, and charge for paid prioritization as long as they follow
transparency rules that require disclosure about network practices.)"
DUH. So, someone at the FCC is awake? Astonishing. Yet, the two yes-men
Commissioners were perfectly happy to approve of this measure.
"An FCC official told Politico that Burger's concerns were addressed in an edit
to Pai's proposal. But it's not clear what change could have been made to
address that concern, given that the FCC voted to eliminate the prohibition on
blocking."
Nothing of value will change in this regard. Specifically because the Chairman,
and the other two Republicans, *like* that provision. They *like* the fact that
content owners and broadband providers will get in bed together, to make
underhanded deals, throttling, degrading, blocking, or giving preferential
treatment. This is the innovation the Chairman is talking about. Any changes
will no doubt amount to nothing more than emphasizing the motherhood and apple
pie, about how this "tough cop on the beat," the FTC, will ensure transparency.
Whoopie-do. And, make sure the FCC can wash its hands of any of this.
Frankston claims that the general public thinks of broadband service like cable
TV. My sense is, the FCC Chairman agrees. The Chairman must have been mighty
surprised when he got the avalanche of opposition to his "great ideas." Looks
like the public knows better than both Frankston AND the FCC Chairman? But,
stubborn cuss as he is, these provisions won't change, of the FCC's own accord.
Come on courts, put an end to this government corruption, once and for all. We
have had net neutrality guarantees for over 110 years, and for damned good
reasons. Every new carriage dispute, between content owners and MVPDs, only
underlines how the reasons for guaranteed net neutrality continue to exist!
Bert
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