Net neutrality: Difference between revisions
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'''Net Neutrality''' is a slogan that refers to a | {{TOC right}} | ||
'''Net Neutrality''' is a slogan that refers to a set of requirements being imposed by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) on telecom operators and [[Internet service provider|internet service providers]] operating in the [[United States]]. The regulations were passed by the FCC on 21 December 2010 by a 3-to-2 vote. | |||
There are six areas of | The regulations shift decision-making about owned resources from the network resource owners to non-owners. The non-owners seeking to influence the decision-making in this and other similar conflicts are sometimes termed "[[Stakeholders|stakeholders]]." | ||
There are six areas of guidelines: | |||
* Access to content | * Access to content | ||
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It is not unlikely, however, that proponents of the net neutrality provisions may be reacting to past [[Monopoly|monopolistic]] assignments of geographic customer territories, also by the FCC. Many incumbent telecom companies continue to be shielded from competition by FCC regulations. | It is not unlikely, however, that proponents of the net neutrality provisions may be reacting to past [[Monopoly|monopolistic]] assignments of geographic customer territories, also by the FCC. Many incumbent telecom companies continue to be shielded from competition by FCC regulations. | ||
==Excerpts from the FCC "guidelines"== | |||
From the news release issued by the FCC on 21 December 2010, on the day the FCC voted itself the power to intervene in the operation of the internet: | |||
===Rule 1: Transparency [per the FCC]=== | |||
A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service shall publicly disclose accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services sufficient for consumers to make informed choices regarding use of such services and for content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings. | |||
===Rule 2: No Blocking [per the FCC]=== | |||
A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management. | |||
A person engaged in the provision of mobile broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block consumers from accessing lawful websites, subject to reasonable network management; nor shall such person block applications that compete with the provider’s voice or video telephony services, subject to reasonable network | |||
===Rule 3: No Unreasonable Discrimination [per the FCC]=== | |||
A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service. Reasonable network management shall not constitute unreasonable discrimination. | |||
===Select Definitions [per the FCC]=== | |||
Broadband Internet access service: A mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service. This term also encompasses any service that the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in the previous sentence, or that is used to evade the protections set forth in this Part. | |||
Reasonable network management. A network management practice is reasonable if it is appropriate and tailored to achieving a legitimate network management purpose, taking into account the particular network architecture and technology of the broadband Internet access service. Legitimate network management purposes include: ensuring network security and integrity, including by addressing traffic that is harmful to the network; addressing traffic that is unwanted by users (including by premise operators), such as by providing services or capabilities consistent with a user’s choices regarding parental controls or security capabilities; and by reducing or mitigating the effects of congestion on the network. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/2/wave-goodbye-to-internet-freedom/ Wave goodbye to Internet freedom], Washington Times editorial, 2 Dec. 2010 | * [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/2/wave-goodbye-to-internet-freedom/ Wave goodbye to Internet freedom], Washington Times editorial, 2 Dec. 2010 | ||
* [http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-303746.pdf FCC news release of 21 Dec. 2010] (PDF file may be occasionally unavailable, due to internet traffic and other factors) | |||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality Network neutrality] on Wikipedia | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality Network neutrality] on Wikipedia | ||
Revision as of 22:37, 21 December 2010
Net Neutrality is a slogan that refers to a set of requirements being imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on telecom operators and internet service providers operating in the United States. The regulations were passed by the FCC on 21 December 2010 by a 3-to-2 vote.
The regulations shift decision-making about owned resources from the network resource owners to non-owners. The non-owners seeking to influence the decision-making in this and other similar conflicts are sometimes termed "stakeholders."
There are six areas of guidelines:
- Access to content
- Access to applications and services
- Connection of devices
- Access to competitive options
- Nondiscrimination
- Transparency
It is not unlikely, however, that proponents of the net neutrality provisions may be reacting to past monopolistic assignments of geographic customer territories, also by the FCC. Many incumbent telecom companies continue to be shielded from competition by FCC regulations.
Excerpts from the FCC "guidelines"
From the news release issued by the FCC on 21 December 2010, on the day the FCC voted itself the power to intervene in the operation of the internet:
Rule 1: Transparency [per the FCC]
A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service shall publicly disclose accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services sufficient for consumers to make informed choices regarding use of such services and for content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings.
Rule 2: No Blocking [per the FCC]
A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management.
A person engaged in the provision of mobile broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block consumers from accessing lawful websites, subject to reasonable network management; nor shall such person block applications that compete with the provider’s voice or video telephony services, subject to reasonable network
Rule 3: No Unreasonable Discrimination [per the FCC]
A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service. Reasonable network management shall not constitute unreasonable discrimination.
Select Definitions [per the FCC]
Broadband Internet access service: A mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service. This term also encompasses any service that the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in the previous sentence, or that is used to evade the protections set forth in this Part.
Reasonable network management. A network management practice is reasonable if it is appropriate and tailored to achieving a legitimate network management purpose, taking into account the particular network architecture and technology of the broadband Internet access service. Legitimate network management purposes include: ensuring network security and integrity, including by addressing traffic that is harmful to the network; addressing traffic that is unwanted by users (including by premise operators), such as by providing services or capabilities consistent with a user’s choices regarding parental controls or security capabilities; and by reducing or mitigating the effects of congestion on the network.
External links
- Net Neutrality: Unwarranted Intervention by Fernando Herrera-Gonzalez
- Who owns the Internet? by Tim Swanson (May 2006)
- Net Neutrality: Toward a Stupid Internet by Raymond C. Niles
- Wave goodbye to Internet freedom, Washington Times editorial, 2 Dec. 2010
- FCC news release of 21 Dec. 2010 (PDF file may be occasionally unavailable, due to internet traffic and other factors)
- Network neutrality on Wikipedia