Wednesday, April 7, 2010

CNET News: Is Net Neutrality Dead? (FAQ)

Marguerite Reardon answers our questions in her April 6 "Signal Strength" column.

1.  What is Net Neutrality?

2.  So what did the court actually say in its ruling?

3.  The FCC is currently working on drafting Net neutrality regulation. How will the court ruling affect those efforts?

4.  Will the FCC appeal the court's decision?

5.  But won't the new official regulation be meaningless, because the FCC has no authority to regulate the Net? Will Congress have to pass legislation to make the FCC's role clearer?

6.  What would reclassifying broadband services mean?

7.  How likely is it that broadband will be reclassified a Title II telecommunications service?

8.  Is it likely that Congress will take action to pass a Net neutrality law or some law reclassifying Internet traffic?

9.  What are Internet service providers, such as AT&T and Comcast, expected to do? They got what they wanted, so will they be monkeying with everyone's traffic?

10.  The FCC has just come out with its comprehensive 10-year National Broadband Plan, which is a blueprint for getting affordable broadband access to every American. Will this court ruling affect those plans?

11.  So what does all of this mean for broadband consumers?
Right now, it means very little. Consumers are not likely to see any change in their service as a result of this court ruling. They will be able to access the same services and Web sites they have always been able to access. They will likely continue to see new services being added to the Net. And they will not likely face any degradation in service.

Related articles:
Net Neutrality:  The Opposition Gathers Force.  (10/19/2009)
Shining a Light on Anti-Neutrality Research.  (10/15/2009)
Net Neutrality:  The Goliaths are not amused.  (9/22/2009)

No comments: