Obama endorses net neutrality
Source: David Jackson
Obama urged an "explicit ban" on "paid prioritization," agreements in which large content providers pay Internet companies for faster delivery. This involves such profitable, high-traffic sites such as Netflix, Amazon and YouTube.
He also called for banning the blocking of certain websites and the "throttling" of Internet service.
The president, who recorded his statement on video, also called on the FCC to classify broadband Internet as a telecommunications service. Major broadband providers have objected, saying it would make their business subject to onerous regulations.
In a statement of its own, Verizon said that "the light-touch regulatory approach in place for the past two decades has been central to the Internet's success." Reclassification under federal rules "would be a radical reversal of course that would in and of itself threaten great harm to an open Internet."
Verizon also said new rules would invite "strong legal challenges."
Net neutrality backers, meanwhile, cheered Obama's declaration.
"This statement, I think, gives the political cover for the FCC to actually do the right thing," said Marvin Ammori, an adviser to tech companies.
Ammori called Obama's statement a major win for net neutrality supporters, and "there is rejoicing among every start-up company in America right now."
He added about Obama: "This is his key campaign promise in technology."
| }
|