Net Neutrality: FCC Votes To Make Internet Public Utility

[Millermore]

It sounds like it is now official: the FCC has voted to make the Internet a Public Utility, supporting Net Neutrality. But before I jump for joy, I'm asking myself, "What exactly does this mean?"

I know what it doesn't mean: ISP's won't be able to throttle data, and they won't be able to package together access to websites for additional fees, as they do with television channel packages. That's great, in my opinion. Even though I'm a Libertarian and I believe strongly in freedom, I know that that would have a seriously negative impact on the Internet, and especially for people like us who rely on it on a daily basis as our livelihoods.

The problem that I am find is that what they voted on contains ~322 pages of new regulations for the Internet. I have no idea what is in those 322 pages, and I doubt anyone who voted on it does either. The democrats are loving it, while the republicans are calling it, "Obamacare for the Internet". My mind works more in the direction of, there must be pros and cons. I'm just very curious as to what those pros and cons are, and what this will actually mean for us in the online marketing industry, as well as anyone who works on the Internet.

I'm not looking for any answers, and I'm especially not looking for a political or biased debate. But I think there should be a place where we can discuss this issue, because it has the potential to be extremely important to us.

Please share you thoughts, findings, and research here where we can discuss them. I'm looking forward to learning from you all, and I hope I can add some useful insights to this conversation.

Once more: please, do not turn this into a political debate - this is not the place for it. Please keep it to how Net Neutrality and Internet as a Public Utility will affect the Internet and Online Marketing landscape for us, our clients, and our customers.

[Millermore]

Here are a few articles I found on today's events. Please keep in mind the source and their respective bias.

HuffPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/26/net-neutrality-fcc-vote_n_6761702.html

Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/02/26/fcc-approves-sweeping-internet-regulation-plan-obama-accused-meddling/

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/26/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSKBN0LU0CA20150226

BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31638528

Here is an excerpt from the BBC article:

"The main changes for broadband providers are as follows:

• Broadband access is being reclassified as a telecommunications service, meaning it will be subject to much heavier regulation
• Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
• Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
• Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their networks, will also be regulated
• Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt with on a case by case basis
• All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
• The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls"

[Millermore]

Here is Mashable's article on what's next: http://mashable.com/2015/02/27/net-neutrality-whats-next/?utm_cid=hp-hh-pri