eROI NYC Interactive Agency

I have blogged about this a couple of times over the last year but I had to weigh in on the lastest announcement by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski regarding net neutrality. In a speech given on Monday Genachowski proposed the FCC turn its four principles of network transparency officially into regulation. He also purposes that they add 2 more “principles” to the mix. Marguerite Reardon of Cnet describes these “principles” well:

“Network operators cannot prevent users from accessing lawful Internet content, applications, and services of their choice, nor can they prohibit users from attaching non-harmful devices to the network. Now Genachowski is proposing two new principles. The first would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications, while allowing for reasonable network management. The second principle would ensure that Internet access providers are transparent about the network management practices they implement.”

Why is this a big deal? First of all the fact that they want to make it official will finally give some one the authority to make judgments and garnish sanctions should some one pull a Comcast and start cheating. Second its a big step for the little guy. For once the FCC seems to be taking the appropriate steps to keep the internet for the people. Reardon goes on to explain:

“The debate over so-called Net neutrality began heating up about three years ago, when congressional leaders first held hearings on potential laws to ensure that Internet service providers couldn’t monkey with traffic. There is no clear definition of the term “Net neutrality,” but in general it refers to the concept that Internet users  should have unfettered access to content and services. In other words, service providers should not be allowed to either impede or favor access to particular sites or applications.”

In other words…internet service providers that might have some stake in a particular website cannot make that website perform better than a competitors. Although the status quo still remains, it’s refreshing to hear that the FCC is actually trying to fight for the rights of individuals rather than be the conduit for coroprate or government agendas.