Communiqué
Your Internet Use Could be Limited by FCC Action on Net Neutrality
< < Back to internet-use-limited-upcoming-fcc-action-net-neutralityOn December 14, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) voted to rescind a 2015 regulation that would end “net neutrality”.
Opponents of this action say it will consolidate too much power over the Internet into the hands of a few large broadband providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon and cable companies.
In the roll back, the high speed Internet providers would be allowed to block certain websites (at their discretion) and “throttle” (slow delivery) content for others. The large broadband companies then could charge a premium to content providers to ensure faster service and delivery of content to customers.
Those additional charges would be passed along to consumers, according to Dr. Trevor Roycroft, an economist, and expert on consumer issues in telecommunication. Dr. Roycroft is a professor in the J. Warren McClure School of Information and Telecommunication Systems at Ohio University.
Also, not every Internet user would have equal access to legal and legitimate websites. Some may be blocked by various providers.
This action also could limit individual access to Internet sites as determined by the broadband carriers, according to Dr. Roycroft. He also believes it will curtail innovation and creativity on the internet and be a disincentive to small entrepreneurial developers.
This move is part of the de-regulation initiatives of the Trump Administration and was led by FCC chairman and Trump appointee Ajit Pai.
It is uncertain exactly when this action will actually take effect. It needs to be published in the Federal Register and will most likely be challenged in court. The court action will not prevent implementation unless a court grants a “stay” of the rescission.