LOS ANGELES: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to propose new internet rules that would allow internet service providers to charge content companies for faster delivery of their services over the socalled “last mile” connection to people’s homes.
The agency also proposes to enhance government oversight of such deals to ensure that they don’t harm competition or limit free speech, according to a senior FCC official familiar with the matter. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is scheduled to present the proposed rules to the agency’s four other commissioners on Thursday.
The so-called “net neutrality” rules have been hotly debated among policymakers, internet providers and content companies such as Netflix. Without regulation, say consumer advocates, giant conglomerates —citing business or political reasons—could limit consumers from freely accessing certain types of content.
The new rules are meant to replace the FCC’s open internet order from 2010, which was struck down by a federal appeals court in January. The US court of appeals affirmed that the FCC had the authority to create openaccess rules but said it failed to establish that its 2010 regulations didn’t overreach. While the older rules technically allowed for paid priority treatment, it was discouraged.