FCC Sets End Date for Net Neutrality on June 11 as Democrats Lead Vote to Block Repeal

[MacRumors]

The Federal Communications Commission gave a notice today that states Net Neutrality rules will officially end in the United States on June 11, 2018 (via Reuters). The FCC voted 3-2 in favor of repealing the rules last December, a repeal that was then made official with an entry into the Federal Register in February.

Multi-state lawsuits soon popped up in efforts to block the rollback of Net Neutrality, and now more than a dozen Democratic senators have moved to force a vote on a proposal that would reinstate Net Neutrality protections. According to CNN, the vote is expected to pass the Senate, but will face an "uphill battle" in the Republican-majority House of Representatives, and "would likely be vetoed" by President Trump if it got that far.

Still, Democratic senator Ed Markey cited building momentum for the proposal, with the Senate's vote expected to happen in the middle of next week.

"Our intent is to have it pass in the Senate, the momentum is building," he said. "We expect there to be some considerable momentum coming out of the Senate and 160 will quickly grow towards the 218 that we need to have a vote over there as well."

"When we pass this in the Senate, when we pass it in the House of Representatives, when it's clear the electorate is at 86% favorable for this issue, that we would have a political firestorm throughout this country if President Trump announced that he was going to veto that said protections, replacing it with exactly nothing," he said.

The repeal of Net Neutrality rules will allow internet service providers to block or slow down any website, service, or app they want to as long as they disclose any act of internet throttling to their customers. Those in favor of the repeal say the decision was made to restore broadband internet services as a "lightly-regulated" market.

On the other side, opponents argue that the repeal gives Verizon, Comcast, and other ISPs the free reign to essentially control the customer's internet by dividing users into so-called "fast lanes" and "slow lanes." Apple is one of the many companies against the repeal of Net Neutrality, stating last August that the ruling could "fundamentally alter the internet as we know it," and if it passed it would be put in place to the detriment of consumers, competition, and innovation.

Many websites are issuing alerts about the upcoming Net Neutrality Senate vote by joining the The Red Alert for Net Neutrality project. On sites like Reddit, Tumblr, Etsy, GitHub, and more, visitors will be presented with a large red screen that urges users to contact their local lawmakers and voice their support of Net Neutrality.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: FCC Sets End Date for Net Neutrality on June 11 as Democrats Lead Vote to Block Repeal

 

[tomtendo]

What was wrong with the internet before NN was put in place? Answer: Nothing Second Answer: We don't need government involved.

 

[centauratlas]

Keep the control freaks off the internet. It was fine pre-2015 without the Federal Government trying to stick their nose in the net and it will be fine now.

People and companies resolved things themselves without authoritarian fascist type policies requiring it.

 

[TC_GoldRush]

The internet was fine before the Net Neutrality act. You'll most-likely notice no difference in internet usage. This also creates a more free and open market.

 

[826317]

Keep the control freaks off the internet. It was fine pre-2015 without the Federal Government trying to stick their nose in the net and it will be fine now.

Actually it was not.

 

[tomtendo]

Actually it was not.

Informative response. I bet you couldn't even tell the difference before and after NN

 

[oplix]

This is one of those very slippery topics where either position might sound correct which tells you there is a lot of things going on behind the scenes.

 

[truthertech]

This article is so biased it should be rewritten after editorial review. Starting with failing to point out that the Net Neutrality Act didn't even exist until a year or two ago. It also fails to point out that there are many existing regulations that are available to address the supposed evils that will arise to doom us all, e.g.,

" Section 1 of the Sherman Act renders anticompetitive agreements illegal. So, if ISPs reached agreements to act in a non-neutral manner by unfairly blocking, throttling or discriminating against traffic, those agreements would be per se unlawful. Moreover, Section 2 of the Sherman Act makes it illegal for a vertically integrated ISP to anti-competitively favor its content or services over that of an unaffiliated business."

For a more honest discussion of the reasons behind the Net Neutrality issue please read this Washington Post article


https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7dfa61bf4720

 

[bbeagle]

Informative response. I bet you couldn't even tell the difference before and after NN

Before Net Neutrality was enacted, here's what was happening:

2005 – North Carolina ISP Madison River Communications blocked VoIP service Vonage.

2005 – Comcast blocked or severely delayed traffic using the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol. (The company even had the guts to deny this for months until evidence was presented by the Associated Press.)

2007 – AT&T censored Pearl Jam because lead singer criticized President Bush.

2007 to 2009 – AT&T forced Apple to block Skype because it didn’t like the competition. At the ok time, the carrier had exclusive rights to sell the iPhone and even then the net neutrality advocates were pushing the government to protect online consumers, over 5 years before these rules were actually passed.

2009 – Google Voice app faced similar issues from IqSPs, including AT&T on iPhone.

2010 – Windstream Communications, a DSL provider, started hijacking search results made using Google toolbar. It consistently redirected users to Windstream’s own search engine and results.

2011 – MetroPCS, one of the top-five wireless carriers at the time, announced plans to block streaming services over its 4G network from everyone except YouTube.

2011 to 2013 – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon blocked Google Wallet in favor of Isis, a mobile payment system in which all three had shares. Verizon even asked Google to not include its payment app in its Nexus devices.

2012 – AT&T blocked FaceTime; again because the company didn’t like the competition.

2012 – Verizon started blocking people from using tethering apps on their phones that enabled consumers to avoid the company’s $20 tethering fee.

2014 – AT&T announced a new “sponsored data” scheme, offering content creators a way to buy their way around the data caps that AT&T imposes on its subscribers.

2014 – Netflix started paying Verizon and Comcast to “improve streaming service for consumers.”

2014 – T-Mobile was accused of using data caps to manipulate online competition.

 

[tomtendo]

Before Net Neutrality was enacted, here's what was happening:

2005 – North Carolina ISP Madison River Communications blocked VoIP service Vonage.

2005 – Comcast blocked or severely delayed traffic using the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol. (The company even had the guts to deny this for months until evidence was presented by the Associated Press.)

2007 – AT&T censored Pearl Jam because lead singer criticized President Bush.

2007 to 2009 – AT&T forced Apple to block Skype because it didn’t like the competition. At the ok time, the carrier had exclusive rights to sell the iPhone and even then the net neutrality advocates were pushing the government to protect online consumers, over 5 years before these rules were actually passed.

2009 – Google Voice app faced similar issues from IqSPs, including AT&T on iPhone.

2010 – Windstream Communications, a DSL provider, started hijacking search results made using Google toolbar. It consistently redirected users to Windstream’s own search engine and results.

2011 – MetroPCS, one of the top-five wireless carriers at the time, announced plans to block streaming services over its 4G network from everyone except YouTube.

2011 to 2013 – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon blocked Google Wallet in favor of Isis, a mobile payment system in which all three had shares. Verizon even asked Google to not include its payment app in its Nexus devices.

2012 – AT&T blocked FaceTime; again because the company didn’t like the competition.

2012 – Verizon started blocking people from using tethering apps on their phones that enabled consumers to avoid the company’s $20 tethering fee.

2014 – AT&T announced a new “sponsored data” scheme, offering content creators a way to buy their way around the data caps that AT&T imposes on its subscribers.

2014 – Netflix started paying Verizon and Comcast to “improve streaming service for consumers.”

2014 – T-Mobile was accused of using data caps to manipulate online competition.

Lol. Hardly any of those did any real damage. Also, one companies bad decision is another company's opportunity to capitalize on... AKA Free Market/Competition. I'm glad you googled a list tho without any true background.

 

[NT1440]

What was wrong with the internet before NN was put in place? Answer: Nothing Second Answer: We don't need government involved.

News flash, the repeal hasn’t even been put in effect yet. It’s literally in the first sentences of the post you responded to.

How can you ask a question for comparison when the change hasn’t taken effect? I’m embarrassed for you frankly.

 

[PracticalMac]

Before Net Neutrality was enacted, here's what was happening:

2005 – North Carolina ISP Madison River Communications blocked VoIP service Vonage.

2005 – Comcast blocked or severely delayed traffic using the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol. (The company even had the guts to deny this for months until evidence was presented by the Associated Press.)

2007 – AT&T censored Pearl Jam because lead singer criticized President Bush.

2007 to 2009 – AT&T forced Apple to block Skype because it didn’t like the competition. At the ok time, the carrier had exclusive rights to sell the iPhone and even then the net neutrality advocates were pushing the government to protect online consumers, over 5 years before these rules were actually passed.

2009 – Google Voice app faced similar issues from IqSPs, including AT&T on iPhone.

2010 – Windstream Communications, a DSL provider, started hijacking search results made using Google toolbar. It consistently redirected users to Windstream’s own search engine and results.

2011 – MetroPCS, one of the top-five wireless carriers at the time, announced plans to block streaming services over its 4G network from everyone except YouTube.

2011 to 2013 – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon blocked Google Wallet in favor of Isis, a mobile payment system in which all three had shares. Verizon even asked Google to not include its payment app in its Nexus devices.

2012 – AT&T blocked FaceTime; again because the company didn’t like the competition.

2012 – Verizon started blocking people from using tethering apps on their phones that enabled consumers to avoid the company’s $20 tethering fee.

2014 – AT&T announced a new “sponsored data” scheme, offering content creators a way to buy their way around the data caps that AT&T imposes on its subscribers.

2014 – Netflix started paying Verizon and Comcast to “improve streaming service for consumers.”

2014 – T-Mobile was accused of using data caps to manipulate online competition.

Top quality post.
Good list of linked sources, too.

 

[Zachari]

The internet was fine before the Net Neutrality act. You'll most-likely notice no difference in internet usage. This also creates a more free and open market.

I am glad people understand this. All I see is "THE WORLD WILL END", which is typical of the left.

 

[blahbrah]

For anti NN folks: how has the internet gotten worse since NN was in place? What are specific examples?

 

[Zachari]

Before Net Neutrality was enacted, here's what was happening:

2005 – North Carolina ISP Madison River Communications blocked VoIP service Vonage.

2005 – Comcast blocked or severely delayed traffic using the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol. (The company even had the guts to deny this for months until evidence was presented by the Associated Press.)

2007 – AT&T censored Pearl Jam because lead singer criticized President Bush.

2007 to 2009 – AT&T forced Apple to block Skype because it didn’t like the competition. At the ok time, the carrier had exclusive rights to sell the iPhone and even then the net neutrality advocates were pushing the government to protect online consumers, over 5 years before these rules were actually passed.

2009 – Google Voice app faced similar issues from IqSPs, including AT&T on iPhone.

2010 – Windstream Communications, a DSL provider, started hijacking search results made using Google toolbar. It consistently redirected users to Windstream’s own search engine and results.

2011 – MetroPCS, one of the top-five wireless carriers at the time, announced plans to block streaming services over its 4G network from everyone except YouTube.

2011 to 2013 – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon blocked Google Wallet in favor of Isis, a mobile payment system in which all three had shares. Verizon even asked Google to not include its payment app in its Nexus devices.

2012 – AT&T blocked FaceTime; again because the company didn’t like the competition.

2012 – Verizon started blocking people from using tethering apps on their phones that enabled consumers to avoid the company’s $20 tethering fee.

2014 – AT&T announced a new “sponsored data” scheme, offering content creators a way to buy their way around the data caps that AT&T imposes on its subscribers.

2014 – Netflix started paying Verizon and Comcast to “improve streaming service for consumers.”

2014 – T-Mobile was accused of using data caps to manipulate online competition.

Do you know what also happened before net neutrality? The internet was created and flourished.

 

[chrono1081]

What was wrong with the internet before NN was put in place? Answer: Nothing Second Answer: We don't need government involved.

You just let everyone know you know nothing about Net Neutrality.

There WERE problems, and the government stepped in to protect the consumer.

Net Neutrality is a consumer protection.

Remember when Netflix was throttled and ISPs were forcing it to pay money to be unthrottled? I do. Remember when Verizon was throttling Youtube? I do. Net neutrality is incredibly important and needs to be protected.

 

[NT1440]

For anti NN folks: how has the internet gotten worse since NN was in place? What are specific examples?

IT HASNT TAKEN EFFECT YET.

Honest to god the defenders of this repeal don’t even know the basics of the issue, or that the rules haven’t even been repealed yet. Can you guys be any more reactionary?

 

[WannaGoMac]

Lol. Hardly any of those did any real damage. Also, one companies bad decision is another company's opportunity to capitalize on... AKA Free Market/Competition. I'm glad you googled a list tho without any true background.

Real damage is whether youre effected by it I suspect. FaceTime was what hit me and it was extremely annoying at the time . This list didn't include the games played against Netflix where they were essentially being blackmailed to pay to reach several isp subscribers .

Guess my question is why do you care if the rules are there as it was not hurting anything?. All the rules effectively said was isp can't throttle traffic based on favorites. That hurt no one and didn't cost anything to comply except it stopped isp ability to make extra money from consumers.

 

[Stella]

The internet was fine before the Net Neutrality act. You'll most-likely notice no difference in internet usage. This also creates a more free and open market.

And a more restrictive internet access based upon what price you pay.

ISPs ( including cell phone providers ) can / will collude in order to drive up prices. Want to access social sites - thats another $5, want to access news sites on your smartphone - another $5.

A worst case scenario. Conservative, business friendly politicians , would love this.

 

[blahbrah]

IT HASNT TAKEN EFFECT YET.

Honest to god the defenders of this repeal don’t even know the basics of the issue, or that the rules haven’t even been repealed yet. Can you guys be any more reactionary?

I’m asking for defenders of the repeal to cite specific damage that has happened since NN was in place in 2015.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I am glad people understand this. All I see is "THE WORLD WILL END", which is typical of the left.

Really sad .Why do the extremes on both politucal sides continually do this finger pointing? .it's like watching kindergarten kids fight .

 

[Achiever]

"I am outraged at the 3-2 FCC party line vote which ended net neutrality regulations!"

- People who hailed the 3-2 FCC party line vote which enacted net neutrality regulations in 2015.

 

[WannaGoMac]

"I am outraged at the 3-2 FCC party line vote which ended net neutrality regulations!"

- People who hailed the 3-2 FCC party line vote which enacted net neutrality regulations in 2015.

And arent both sad? Usa is so partisan it can't get together on anything this was not as true decades ago

 

[eatrains]

Lol. Hardly any of those did any real damage. Also, one companies bad decision is another company's opportunity to capitalize on... AKA Free Market/Competition. I'm glad you googled a list tho without any true background.

When consumers have only one choice of ISP, there is no competition. Net neutrality ensures that ISPs can't take advantage of that situation.

 

[Achiever]

News flash, the repeal hasn’t even been put in effect yet. It’s literally in the first sentences of the post you responded to.

How can you ask a question for comparison when the change hasn’t taken effect? I’m embarrassed for you frankly.

You completely missed his point. The poster asked what was wrong with the internet BEFORE the 2015 utility classification. They didn't state things are better since the December repeal vote, they asked what was wrong with things before the 2015 backdoor vote to implement net neutrality regulations. In short, if things weren't wrong, then regulation was unnecessary.