CHANGE - FCC Plan for Net Neutrality

The FCC is expected to vote on the 'net neutrality' rules on December 14th. 

These rules presently require ISPs (internet providers) to treat all web traffic the same. Among the concerns arising from an FCC vote to repeal the regulation are these:

• Higher consumer costs
• Reduced consumer access to content services
• A playing field no longer level for consumers or content providers
• Elimination of competitive services
• Censorship of some content

The situation is expected to unleash a wave of lobbying. Opponents of the plan are expected to be Consumer Associations, content services like Netflix and social media giants Twitter, Google, Instagram and Facebook (TGIF). Supporters are expected to include large network providers, especially those who also own content services like Comcast and AT&T.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet,” FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai said in a statement last week. “Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices.”

 CBC News covered this story and its implications very well and includes several of the interviews carried on the national radio network.