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On a 3-2 vote, the FCC passed "controversial" rules on net neutrality today. From Politico:
Led by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the Democrats on the panel voted Tuesday to approve the first enforceable Net neutrality rules, which will prohibit Internet service providers such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from blocking access to lawful content and websites.
The small print: no public copy of the rules. The rumor, however, is that "wired broadband will be more heavily regulated than wireless -- a crucial point as carriers begin investigating pay-per-service charges."
The response on Twitter has been scathing:
@waxpancake: Can't load the FCC's net neutrality livestream? Try AT&T's Gov Preferred package, which offers premium bandwidth for government hearings.
...
@freepress: Our statement on #netneutrality order: FCC Net Neutrality Order a 'Squandered Opportunity' http://freepr.es/fDexMa
....
@freepress:For those concerned about the role of money & corruption in how this vote went down - we are documenting that here: http://bit.ly/cHbBBz
Nevertheless, there is already pushback among wireless carriers:
Multiple sources have told National Journal that Verizon, the nation's second largest telecommunications carrier, may seek to overturn the historic open Internet rules to be approved by the Federal Communications Commission Tuesday morning. Sources said the option is on the table, but cautioned that no final decision has been made. The company will review the details of the new "network neutrality" rules set for adoption by the agency's three Democratic regulators to gauge its next move.
