As the federal government continues to ponder how to move forward on the thorny issue of net neutrality rules, at least two FCC commissioners are scheduled to attend a forum on the topic in Sacramento on Wednesday, Sept. 24 in Sacramento.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) is hosting the 10 a.m. event at the California State Capitol in Hearing Room 4202. FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, CPUC Commissioner Catherine Sandoval, former Facebook executive Chris Kelly and other experts from the private sector are scheduled to participate.
On Monday the FCC revealed in a blog post it has received 3.7 million public comments on net neutrality and reiterated that Chairman Tom Wheeler’s Congressional testimony last week "explained that all options are open and that, in particular, Title II is very much on the table."
Title II classification under the Communications Act of 1934 would allow Internet service providers to be regulated as "common carriers" (much like landline phone companies) and provide a pathway for possibly banning paid prioritization of Internet traffic. Another option is Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which would give the FCC narrower power to regulate ISPs to "promote competition in the local telecommunications market" and "remove barriers to infrastructure investment."
The FCC said Monday it’s considering these options and others, and that "Wheeler emphasized that the Commission is looking for a rainbow of policy and legal proposals, rather than being confined to what he called limited ‘monochromatic’ options."
The public eye has been focused intently on net neutrality since Wheeler released a draft rulemaking proposal in February that opponents claim would effectively end the open Internet and net neutrality, and allow ISPs to charge customers differently for access to what’s been called an "Internet fast lane." Supporters counter that new pricing structures are needed in part to adequately fund broadband infrastructure and improve speeds nationwide, particularly in underserved areas.
On May 15 the FCC launched its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the "open Internet" and solicited public comments. An estimated 3.7 public comments were taken – the most for any FCC rulemaking proceeding.
Matsui, the host of Wednesday’s forum, co-authored an op-ed published last week arguing that a two-tiered system would "significantly alter the public’s unfettered ability to access content online" and "should not happen."
There will be a webcast of Wednesday’s forum. Go to Matsui’s website for more information.
