The Federal Communications Commission recently formed new rules to regulate Internet services to create public utility. This plan will fall right under President Obama’s Title II telecommunications act, which states that common carriers cannot “make any unjust or unreasonable discrimination in charges, practices, classifications, regulations, facilities, or services.”
The first three rules would ban practices that are known to harm the open Internet. There will be no blocking and broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices. In addition to broadband providers cutting out Throttling, which may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.
Along with Non Paid Prioritization stating that broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration – in other words, no “fast lanes.” This rule also bans Internet Service Providers “ISP’s” from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates. According to Chairman Wheelers proposed fact sheet.
President Obama’s goal is to make sure that Internet service providers do not block or limit access to website for consumers. Net Neutrality plays a big part in how fast internet in received on college campuses .
"This process may initiate a lot of unwanted solicitation,"said Arlisha McQueen, Instructor for the College of Science and Technology. "This might serve as a disadvantage for the students. Therefore students might be forced to make unnecessary purchases. A lot of students currently use their tablets and their phones and don’t necessarily have to use physical books anymore. However, with this new process it might actually hinder the use of other,” said McQueen.
Most students on campus depend on the Internet for many different pleasures including entertainment. Christopher La Boo, a 4th year business administration student from Eustis, FL says, “ I believe high speed internet should be free. Everybody should have access to the vast amount of knowledge that exists on the web." La Boo went on to say, " I watch about the same amount of Netflix as I do sports on cable", and " I will always have cable because of sports."
After the FCC launched a rule seeking public comment on the new net neutrality rules, local service providers such as CenturyLink seemed very optimistic about the new possible changes that are soon to come.
CenturyLink’s network is built so customers can access the Internet whenever, wherever and however they choose,” said Steve Davis CenturyLink, Inc. Executive Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations. He stated, “We strongly support a vibrant and open Internet. We believe that above all else, any regulation of the Internet must help, not harm customers.
For more information on new updates with your local internet provider follow Century Link at www.twitter.com/centurylinkCFL
