The proposal also would prohibit wireless carriers from blocking access to any web sites or competing applications such as internet calling services on mobile devices, and it would require them to disclose their network management practices.
But it would give wireless carriers more leeway to manage data traffic, because wireless systems have more bandwidth constraints than wired networks. That provision is likely to draw fire from public-interest groups, which argue that wireless networks should have the same protections as wired systems, particularly as more and more Americans go online using mobile devices.
In addition, the proposal would allow broadband providers to experiment with routing traffic from specialized services such as smart grids and home security systems over dedicated networks, as long as these services do not hurt the public internet.
In one key victory for the phone and cable companies, Genachowski’s proposal would leave in place the FCC’s current regulatory framework for broadband, which treats broadband as a lightly regulated “information service.”
The agency has been trying to come up with a new framework since a federal appeals court in April ruled that the FCC had overstepped its existing authority in sanctioning cable giant Comcast for discriminating against internet file-sharing traffic on its network—violating the very net-neutrality principles that Genachowski now hopes to adopt as formal rules.
To ensure that the commission would be on solid legal ground in adopting net-neutrality rules and other broadband regulations following that decision, Genachowski had proposed redefining broadband as a telecommunications service subject to “common carrier” obligations to treat all traffic equally.
But that effort quickly triggered a fierce backlash from the phone and cable companies, as well as many Republicans on Capitol Hill—prompting Genachowski to abandon it in his current plan.
Genachowski’s new plan is based in large part on a proposal that Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the outgoing chairman of the House Commerce Committee, tried unsuccessfully to push in Congress several months ago.
Waxman, too, ran into opposition from Republicans who warn that net-neutrality rules amount to burdensome regulation that would discourage broadband providers from investing in their networks.
With Republicans set to take over the House next month, Genachowski is running out of time to get his net-neutrality proposal through the FCC without being blocked by lawmakers.
Supporters argue that net-neutrality rules are critical to preserving an open internet and ensuring that phone and cable companies cannot slow or block online phone calls, web video, and other internet services that compete with their core businesses.
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