Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler finally confirmed Wednesday his proposal to protect high-speed Internet service for all Americans. He will ask the commission to reclassify it as a public utility under Title II of the Communications Act.
This regulatory change is the best way to preserve the Internet as a place where users can access the information they want, when they want it. A place where businesses — established companies and startups alike — can compete on a level-playing field.
Adopting the concept of “net neutrality” means the handful of existing, but powerful, Internet service providers such as Comcast, Verizon and AT&T would be prohibited from charging websites a premium fee for faster access to consumers, while relegating all other sites to a slow lane. Such a two-tiered system could stifle innovation.
The five-member FCC is scheduled to vote on a final proposal by Feb. 26.
So get ready. The fight to preserve net neutrality is winnable, but citizens must continue to make their voices heard. More than 3 million Americans, including many Seattle residents, flooded the FCC’s website last summer and fall.
President Obama could not ignore this outcry. Years after promising as a candidate that he would protect an open Internet, Obama finally called on FCC commissioners (whom he appoints) to “implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality.”
The FCC’s best option is to reclassify broadband as a utility, as it does the telephone industry. Of course, deep-pocketed cable-industry lobbyists claim regulations would hamper their investments in broadband expansion and harm customers.
Really, they just do not want oversight.
Visit the watchdog groups publicknowledge.org or freepress.net to learn about ways to preserve net neutrality. Those organizations also provide resources to help people spread the word on social media and contact their elected representatives.
Tell Congress that an open Internet is crucial. Remind the FCC it exists to serve the public interest, not the profits of a few private broadband companies.
The following editorial appeared in The Seattle Times on Thursday.
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