On Thursday, Federal Communications Commission voted in support to the advance proposal that could totally change and reshape the way Internet and content is offered to the consumers. It creates the probability of Internet service providers charging Web sites for a greater quality delivery of their content to American consumers.
A vote of three-to-two along party lines pushes the approval of the plan that could run a new economy on the Web. Internet service provider like Verizon could charge a Web site like Netflix for faster video streaming. However, the proposal would also prohibit telecom firms from outright blocking Web sites.
Though the plan is not yet a final rule, the vote on Thursday has a big importance in pushing the controversial idea that caused strong reaction from consumer advocates, Silicon Valley heavyweights, and Democratic lawmakers.
The FCC will now open the proposal for a public comment within the next 120 days. Final rules are expected to be accomplished at the end of the year and can be revised after the agency reviews the public comments. Some critics said that they worry about the possible end of net neutrality, that refers to the principle that says, “All content online should be treated equally by Internet service providers.”
After weeks of public opposing reaction over the proposal, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler assured that concern agency would disallow for unfair, or “commercially unreasonable,” business practices.
He wouldn’t allow any practices that will provide a poor service to the consumer such as slower downloads of some Web sites than what the consumers paid for from their Internet service provider.
Wheeler moved farther with a proposal that could create new business arrangements among Internet service provider like AT&T, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable--and Web content providers, such as Facebook, Google and online startups for preferential treatment online. He also questioned whether such deals should be banned outright. However, he also asked whether such deals should be banned outright.
"There is one Internet. It must be fast, it must be robust, and it must be open," Wheeler said. "The prospect of a gatekeeper choosing winners and losers on the Internet is unacceptable."
The plan of cutting deals with content providers by the telecom companies received fierce criticism from investors, startups, and big Silicon Valley firms. According to them, smaller companies can’t afford to pay for faster delivery and would surely face another obstacles against the big companies. Consumers would also experience a trickle-down effect of higher prices as Web sites try to get through along new costs of having business with Internet service providers.
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