"ISPs also support legislation that prohibits blocking and throttling, but
restoring the paid prioritization prohibition and the general conduct standard,
not so much."
The 2015 FCC order was very, very realistic on this point. In short, it's too
hard to allow for half measures, and be consistent. For example, "paid
prioritization" *is* throttling. So, you simply avoid those potential traps,
and write a straightforward rule. No throttling, no blocking, no paid (by the
Internet source) prioritization. Doesn't mean you can't distribute servers, or
other such measures, to prevent bottlenecks from forming in core networks.
And once again, *this* FCC Chairman, unlike every previous one from either
party, couldn't care less. Non-neutral behavior is fine for him. He has stated
this explicitly. Turning Internet service into a 40 year old cable TV model is
"innovative," he claims. Maybe he should do the same for the telephone.
The broadband providers, which are also cable TV companies, have a long history
of showing how they "optimize" their operations, based on what the rules allow.
Yes, in cahoots with content owners, and against the best interests of the
subscriber. This is to be expected. Can't fault them for behaving this way,
it's the nature of the monopoly beast. It doesn't matter what they say now, to
appease public sentiment. In the long run, they will revert to operating as
anyone has to expect.
Anyone notice how, at long last, we are seeing pushback on the outrageous
salaries of grown men who throw spheres around? That's how competition works.
The Internet is the only reason this is finally happening, the only reason why
the likes of ESPN aren't openly bragging about the outrageous deals they made
with the sports leagues, to carry their games. Entirely to be expected, of
course, but only as long as net neutrality exists. Otherwise, we'll be back to
subscribers being forced to subsidize addicts. This FCC Chairman finds that
"innovative."
AT&T came around to saying the right things, just last week.
Bert
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/edge-providers-push-net-neutrality-cra/171654
Washington
Feb 08, 2018 12:40 PM ET
Edge Providers Push for Net Neutrality CRA
IA says it supports all efforts to 'memorialize" strong rules
By John Eggerton
The Internet Association, whose members include the big edge providers, is
squarely behind the effort by Hill Democrats to nullify the FCC's Dec. 14
Restoring Internet Freedom order, which eliminatess prohibitions on blocking,
throttling and paid prioritization and a general conduct standard that would
allow the FCC to potentially regulate other online conduct not expressly
prohibited by those rules.
In a letter to the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, Internet
Association President Michael Beckerman said that IA supports the Congressional
Review Act (CRA) resolution, and also would then support legislation that
"memorializes all of the protections" in the 2015 Open Internet order.
"The CRA is an important step in solidifying open internet protections,"
Beckerman said. "The FCC's recent Restoring Internet Freedom Order (the
"Order") represents the complete reversal of broad, bipartisan consensus in the
operation of the internet, and leaves consumers with no meaningful protections
to ensure their access to the entire internet. The current Order should not
stand, and IA supports all efforts -including comprehensive bipartisan
legislation -to restore strong, enforceable net neutrality protections at the
federal level."
ISPs also support legislation that prohibits blocking and throttling, but
restoring the paid prioritizaion prohibition and the general conduct standard,
not so much.
IA members include the Big Four edge providers--Amazon, Facebook, Google and
Twitter.
The CRA has 50 supporters in the Senate, but needs one more vote for passage.
But even if it did get the needed 51 votes, getting it through the House and
past the President is a long shot. But so is bipartisan legislation given the
parties' differences over paid prioritization, Title II classification, and
other issues.
The Internet Innovation Alliance, commenting on the need for bipartisan
legislation, countered that while it, too, supported legislation enshrining
rules, the 2010 Open Intnernet order was a better model. That was the
compromise rules that did not prevent paid prioritization and had no general
conduct standard.
"Today, the Internet Association joined the chorus of those calling on Congress
to enact, this year, a permanent legislative solution to the 'net neutrality'
debate that is now well into its second decade," said IA of IIA's letter. "The
Internet Innovation Alliance has long called for a new law in this area, based
on the core principles of an open internet: no blocking of legitimate online
content, no throttling, and no unfair discrimination against legitimate online
content. The open internet principles of the FCC's 2010 Open Internet Order
would serve as a useful model. Moreover, we believe this bill should also
contain strong protections for consumers' online privacy."
IIA said that privacy regime should apply to all sectors of the internet
ecosystem. "To succeed, privacy principles should apply on equal terms to all
providers and indeed all companies that touch consumers in the internet
ecosystem. This is absolutely necessary for the law to give consumers the
assurance and security that their privacy is protected, no matter how they
access the internet and no matter what sites they visit. All should be able to
agree easily on the core principles of an open internet, and we strongly
encourage Congress to move forward rapidly, on a bipartisan basis, to enact
legislation this year and stand ready to assist in this effort."
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