Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), says that the "Internet will remain an open pathway" and it will not be possible for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to degrade the service they provide to subscribers.
On Monday, April 29, Wheeler issued a statement that explained his views about net neutrality. According to the principal of net neutrality, ISPs cannot differentiate between content providers who are trying to reach users. ISPs cannot also block select websites or degrade the quality of the service provided by content providers. ISPs are currently bound to offer the same traffic lane for all content providers.
However, a proposal by Wheeler, which is due to get preliminary vote by the entire FCC on May 15, suggests that ISP's can charge extra to some content providers so that they can reach their customers faster. Moreover, President Barack Obama also supports Wheeler's proposal.
Market observers opine that Wheeler's proposal will murder the concept of net neutrality and shift the power in the hands of rich and big companies. Wheeler suggests that his proposal will not allow ISPs to forbid access to any legal websites or services. However, Wheeler's proposal allows ISPs to support certain traffic under "commercially reasonable" provisions, which the FCC will review.
"Some recent commentary has had a misinformed interpretation of the Open Internet Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) currently before the Commission. There are two things that are important to understand. First, this is not a final decision by the Commission but rather a formal request for input on a proposal as well as a set of related questions. Second, as the Notice makes clear, all options for protecting and promoting an Open Internet are on the table," says Wheeler.
The chairman of FCC claims that the primary focus of his proposal is to ensure that consumers get robust and speedy Internet connections. Wheeler claims that if the proposal is implemented it will encourage ISPs to upgrade service to all. Wheeler also commented that the criticism his proposal has received is biased.
"There has been a great deal of discussion about how our proposal to follow the court's roadmap will result in a so-called 'fast lane' and Internet 'haves' and 'have-nots.' This misses the point," added Wheeler.
Currently, the FCC is taking comments on Wheeler's proposal. If the proposal is passed it may be not be long before it becomes a law.
