UPDATED 07:10 EDT / SEPTEMBER 23 2011

FCC to Neutralize the Web On November 20

Later today the Federal Communications Commission will publish the new rules designed to prevent Internet providers from deliberately blocking or slowing traffic that will take effect on November 20.  The net neutrality rules were approved last December but since the FCC took its time in putting them in the Federal Register, the new rules haven’t take effect.

According to a post in the Wall Street Journal, “The new rules ban Internet providers from discriminating against legal Internet traffic, although they would not prevent providers from setting up faster lanes of traffic for companies that want faster service to deliver video, games and other services. The rules would provide some new protections for consumers and require broadband providers to give them more information about their service, such as actual speeds.”

Also, the new regulations will allow the FCC to impose fines and file for injunction against companies that would slow down their internet service for those subscribers streaming movies or downloading music.

Though the new rules would apply to wired broadband networks, wireless internet providers will also be required to have lesser restrictions.

Usually after the FCC put rules up for voting, they immediately take effect, but the net neutrality rules were held back as Internet service providers voiced out their concerns regarding excessive paperwork when the rules take effect.  Last April, the D.C. Court of Appeals dismissed suits from Verizon and MetroPCS which aimed to overturn the FCC’s rules and said that they’d have to wait for the rules to be published before they could file for their case.  According to a Verizon spokesperson, they will file a lawsuit after the rules are published.

ISPs aren’t the only ones trying to block the FCC’s neutrality rules.  Back in December, the FCC rules received three Democratic members endorsing the guidelines and two Republican commissioners dissenting.  Congressional Republicans are arguing that the FCC overstepped their authority and they voted 240 to 179 to overturn the regulations.  More legal battles can be expected as November draws near.


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