FCC to Propose Internet Neutrality Rules

On September 21, Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, plans to propose Internet neutrality rules. The goal of these rules is to prevent Internet Service Providers from blocking or interfering with the transmission of free content that may compete with any of their paid services.

Proponents of the net neutrality rules argue that this will ensure consumers have uninhibited access to free legal content on the Internet. Service providers contend that the net neutrality rules would negatively impact their quality of service because some applications require a large amount of bandwidth, and this could slow down Internet access to its other users.

Comment on a National Broadband Plan

As I wrote a few days ago, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is seeking public input on how to make broadband accessible and affordable across the United States. The plan will be delivered to Congress next February. The recently-passed Reinvestment Act stimulus contains $7.2 billion for broadband projects.

In you would like to express your ideas on a nationwide broadband plan, go to page 41 of this FCC Notice of Inquiry (.pdf). The deadline for comments is June 8.

FCC Votes to Open "White Space" Spectrum to Wireless Internet for the Public

As Sirsi/Dynix VP Stephen Abram reminds us, there was other news yesterday, even in the United States.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 to open up the "white space" spectrum -- the unused airwaves between broadcast television channels -- for public wireless broadband service. Abram says that this decision will transform technology in 2009 and beyond, and quotes Google co-found Larry Page as saying: "This is a clear victory for Internet users and anyone who wants good wireless communications."

Read the entire post on Stephen's Lighthouse.