Internet service providers and their lobby groups are fighting a US plan to prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services. In particular, ISPs want the Federal Communications Commission to drop the plan’s proposal to require that prices charged to consumers be non-discriminatory.

  • Admiral Patrick@dubvee.orgOP
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    2 years ago

    If the ISPs are against it, the FCC should do it. Period. The ISP’s industry track record backs that up.

    As for impeding further broadband investment, well, what investment? Most (all?) of the broadband expansion in my area was paid for with various government grants of which they pocketed most of, raised prices, and then asked for more. So all we’re asking for as far as that goes is what we, the taxpayers, have already paid for…multiple times over, in fact.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldB
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    2 years ago

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    In 2021, Congress required the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules “preventing digital discrimination of access based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin” within two years.

    FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last month released her draft plan to comply with the congressional mandate and scheduled a November 15 commission vote on adopting final rules.

    Carr described Rosenworcel’s proposal as “President Biden’s plan to give the administrative state effective control of all Internet services and infrastructure in the US.”

    In a meeting with Rosenworcel’s staff, cable company executives “stated that the Draft Order would impose overbroad liability standards that impede further broadband investment and are legally vulnerable by adopting a disparate impact rather than a disparate treatment liability approach,” according to an ex parte filing submitted yesterday by cable lobby group NCTA-The Internet & Television Association.

    The cable companies said the FCC "should define digital discrimination as disparate treatment and should limit the standard to policies and practices involving the deployment of broadband network facilities.

    “Commission evaluation of price is unnecessary in the competitive wireless marketplace and may deter offering discounts and enticements to switch providers that consumers enjoy today.”


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