USA TODAY: President Obama’s call for net neutrality could drive the Federal Communications Commission to regulate broadband service like a utility as a way to protect consumers’ ability to access all content without a threat of connectivity being throttled.
The FCC is an independent agency that will establish its own rules. But Obama’s public prodding could push the agency to adopt a new set of regulations that will allow greater oversight of Internet service providers.
Obama walked into the fray Monday, seeking more clarity on the hot-button issue. His unequivocal support for “net neutrality” – the notion that any and all content should be treated equally by Internet providers – could add fervor to a fight that has already gone on for years.
“We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House. “I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online.” … (more)
