Net neutrality update April 2016
The US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) this month published new broadband labels to provide consumers of mobile and fixed broadband Internet service with easy-to-understand information about price and performance. This is in support of the Commission’s Open Internet regulations:
“The consumer broadband labels will provide consumers with more information on service speed and reliability and greater clarity regarding the costs of broadband service, including fees and other add-on charges that may appear on their bills. The FCC’s Open Internet transparency rules require broadband Internet access service providers to disclose this information to consumers in an accurate, understandable and easy-to-find manner. These formats, while not mandated by the agency, are recommended by the Commission and will serve as a “safe harbour” to meet those requirements.”
Other net neutrality developments this month:
- Further to last month’s update on Netflix’s throttling of video speeds, Ars Technica reported comments by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler that he has no plans to investigate Netflix, as he does not regard the practice as an open Internet issue.
- Network World and Ars Technica reported that the US House of Representatives has approved a bill that would prohibit the FCC from regulating broadband pricing under its net neutrality rules.
- The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal reported that a decision in the court case challenging the FCC’s Open Internet regulations could be near.
