Despite FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's insistence that he is on the side of an open internet, the controversy over proposed net neutrality rules continues to expand. Resistance to the new rules is now coming from voices within the FCC and major internet companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Yahoo and more. The plan was for the five commissioners to vote on their approval next Thursday, but today one of them, Jessica Rosenworcel, called to push back that vote by a month. Citing "real concerns" with Wheeler's proposal and a need for time to consider the "torrent of public response" received, she wants the delay so public conversation can continue. That would mean putting the agency's legal staff out front to explain the measures and answer questions in ways that are accessible to the public, instead of starting a Sunshine Period that would end the ability to accept public comment.
.@techMSS There were folks in front of the @FCC earlier today: http://ift.tt/RsBvv6
- Alina Selyukh (@alinaselyukh) May 7, 2014 Comments from the public are getting noisier than ever also, as protesters were even marching in front of the FCC today. One of the other commissioners, Mignon Clayburn, blogged about the concerns she expressed back in 2010 when the original rules were implemented, including prohibiting the controversial "pay for priority arrangements" completely. At the same time, Gigaom points out that a number of internet companies have signed on to a letter (PDF) calling for the FCC to "protect users and Internet companies on both fixed and mobile platforms against blocking,discrimination, and paid prioritization and...make the market for Internet services more transparent." Names on the letter include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter, Level 3, Cogent and many others.
Thoughts on #libraries, #ERate, #netneutrality: http://t.co/Fup5UsNz3T
- Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) May 7, 2014 Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook
Source: Letter to FCC (PDF), Jessica Rosenworcel, Mignon Clyburn, Gigaom
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