FCC chairman Tom Wheeler has confirmed plans to implement strict net neutrality rules, in line with the earlier call from President Barack Obama. In an article in Wired magazine, Wheeler said he will send the proposal to his fellow commissioners this week. It will include plans to extend Title II authority under the Telecommunications Act to internet access services. This would see internet access designated a telecommunications service, allowing the FCC to impose stricter regulations the same as for fixed telephony.
Wheeler said the new rules will also ban paid prioritization, where a service provider can pay the network operator for preferred access to end-users, as well as prohibit blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. These rules will also apply to internet services over mobile networks, which already carry over 55 percent of internet traffic in the US. ISPs would still be allowed to practice "reasonable" network management, but this must not be for commercial purposes. For example, a provider could not cite 'network management' as a reason for withdrawing an unlimited data offer.
The FCC chairman said the Title II regulations will be modernised "for the 21st century", in order to ensure the new regulation does not dissuade investment in networks. As recommended by Obama, parts of Title II will not be applied to broadband services. "For example, there will be no rate regulation, no tariffs, no last-mile unbundling," Wheller said.
In addition, Wheeler plans a "general conduct rule that can be used to stop new and novel threats to the internet". This should allow the FCC to adapt the regulation in future depending on changes in technology and the market. According to a fact sheet on the proposal issued by the FCC, this means ISPs would be prohibited from any practice that "harms consumers or edge providers".
Finally, the FCC confirmed earlier reports that it's authority would be extended to interconnection agreements between network and content providers. The commission would be able to hear complaints and take action if it finds ISPs' interconnection services are not "just and reasonable".
