The Federal Communications Commission released its
400-page document [pdf] detailing new, stricter regulations for broadband services. There
were few surprises in the ruling, which is actually just 305 words long. The 400 pages is devoted to spelling out precisely how the FCC will go forward in enforcing the rules. In doing so, it made one thing very clear.
"This is Title II tailored for the 21st Century," the order states. "Unlike the application of Title II to incumbent wireline companies in the 20th Century, a swath of utility-style provisions (including tariffing) will not be applied."
That's in response to the common cry of opponents that the agency is using antiquated means to regulate the internet, and that it will result in higher taxes for everyone. There's still hundreds of pages to go through in the document, so expect to see thorough readings of exactly what it will—and won't—do in the near future. But in the meantime, take a bow as a community for getting this shout-out on page 335.
What the press has called the "parallel FCC" at the White House opened its doors to a plethora of special-interest activists: Daily Kos, Demand Progress, Fight for the Future, Free Press, and Public Knowledge, just to name a few.
That would be Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai, dissenting from the ruling and calling grassroots democracy—led by Daily Kos—special interests. This is one special-interest group we should all proudly claim membership in.
Some members of Congress, on behalf of their cable donors, are trying to stop the FCC from protecting the internet we love. There isn't much time to stop them, contact them now.