The FCC may be in the process of brokering a backroom deal that could send ripples through the net. The deal? Net Neutrality rules governing how they control information which they are rumored to be forming with various ISPs, Google, Skype and other agencies.
According to the Free Press
“It is stunning that the FCC would convene meetings between industry giants to allow them determine how the agency should best protect the public interest,” adding, “The Obama administration promised a new era of transparency, and to ‘take a backseat to no one’ on ‘Net neutrality, but these meetings seem to indicate that this FCC has no problem brokering backroom deals without any public input or scrutiny.”
The hope of the talks according to the Wall Street Journal is that the FCC will not gain total control over broadband use which could turn ISPs into a sort of internet/telecommunications carrier, bringing with that hybrid title an FCC governorship which could place certain carrier type rules on ISPs.
If there’s any light at the end of the tunnel it’s that more transparent meetings are scheduled about committee staff and numerous stakeholders this Friday which will provide an open forum for discussion.
Among the FCC’s pull for power, The Register reported last week that open chairman Julius Genachowski wants some of the organizations authority back, with a large part of that focus surrounding the FCC’s ability to regulate pipes, but not what goes through them. It’s an odd regulation considering regulating how much information can be passed through a pipe would in essence limit the type of information transferred, but perhaps I’m being a bit too pessimistic? No…I really don’t think I am.
FCC , where’s your “Four Freedoms” policy? It’s simple to form policies behind closed doors and unfortunately transparency doesn’t appear so transparent when you’ve already held your own closed door talks. Hell at this point I’d be willing to settle for opaque.
What do you think about the FCC’s most recent moves and statements? Perhaps I’m just being a crazy internet conspirator? Then again I don’t think I’m crazy and I don’t read too much into conspiracy theories beyond their funny thoughts.
