FCC to propose new net neutrality rules disallowing data discrimination

Based on what we’re hearing, a slate of soon-to-be-proposed FCC rules may stop the likes of Comcast from discriminating against P2P applications on their networks, and AT&T sure will have a tougher time justifying why it won’t let the iPhone’s version of SlingPlayer run on 3G while giving WinMo and BlackBerry users all the bandwidth they can handle. Julius Genachowski, the new chairman of the entity, is slated to discuss the new rules on Monday, though he isn’t expected to dig too deep into the minutiae. Essentially, the guidelines will “prevent wireless companies from blocking internet applications and prevent them from discriminating (or acting as gatekeepers) [against] web content and services.” We know what you’re thinking: “Huzzah!” And in general, that’s probably the right reaction to have as a consumer, but one has to wonder how network quality for all will be affected if everyone is cut loose to, well, cut loose. Oh, and if this forces telecoms to deploy more cell sites to handle the influx in traffic, you can rest assured that the bill will be passed on to you. Ain’t nuthin’ free, kids.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

FCC to propose new net neutrality rules disallowing data discrimination originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This post is tagged: Bill, bit torrent, BitTorrent, data discrimination, DataDiscrimination, discrimination, fcc, government, Julius Genachowski, JuliusGenachowski, Law, legal, Net Neutrality, NetNeutrality, P2P, torrent, us, USA