FCC unveils new net-neutrality regulations

Thursday, Federal Communication Commission (FCC) issued new net neutrality rules for Broadband Internet Provider. The newly implemented rules will give more authority to FCC over the communication industry. It will allow FCC to set rates and enforce traffic on the telecommunication firms.  It averts providers from prioritization of one service over other.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) yesterday released extensive details of how it would regulate broadband internet providers as a public utility, which could set the stage for extended legal fights.

The new rules provide more authority to the FCC over the communication industry to set rates and enforce traffic and averts providers from prioritising of one service over other,

Advocates, broadband and technology companies and lawmakers had been eagerly anticipating the release of the rules, ever since the FCC voted 3-2 in favour of new rules on net neutrality two weeks ago.

Under the new rules, broadband access has now been categorised as two distinct services - one, a telecommunications service; and two, ''various 'add-on' applications, content, and services that generally are information services.''

This is the key distinction and change as broadband providers are providing two different things that can be viewed separately.

Moreover mobile broadband has now been brought under the net neutrality rules.

Internet service providers will now have to provide information on the internet access they provide  in terms of what rates they offer for what speeds and if there are any restrictions on that service.

For consumers, this would help end the confusion over the implication of the terms of competing offers from rivals like, say Comcast and AT&T, only to discover the limitations after they are locked into a two-year contract, say commentators.

The order says, ''We noted that consumers continue to express concern that the speed of their service falls short of advertised speeds, that billed amounts are greater than advertised rates, and that consumers are unable to determine the source of slow or congested service.

''In addition, we noted that end users are often surprised that broadband providers slow or terminate service based on 'excessive use' or based on other practices, and that consumers report confusion regarding data thresholds or caps.''

The full text of the new order, however has led to uncertainties about broad and subjective regulation. Under one catchall provision, calling for ''just and reasonable'' conduct, the FCC would decide what was acceptable on a case-by-case basis.