FCC press release October 22, 2009: In the next chapter of a longstanding effort to preserve the free and open Internet, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing Internet openness principles. In addition to providing greater predictability for all stakeholders, the Notice is aimed at securing the many economic and social benefits that an open Internet has historically provided. It seeks to do so in a manner that will promote and protect the legitimate needs of consumers, broadband Internet access service providers, entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses of all sizes that make use of the Internet. The Commission has addressed openness issues in a variety of contexts and proceedings, including: a unanimous policy statement in 2005, a notice of inquiry on broadband industry practices in 2007, public comment on several petitions for rulemaking, conditions associated with significant communications industry mergers, the rules for the 700 MHz spectrum auction in 2007, specific enforcement actions, and public en banc hearings. During this time period, opportunities for public participation have generated over 100,000 pages of input in approximately 40,000 filings from interested parties and members of the public. The process todays Notice initiates will build upon the existing record at the Commission to identify the best means to achieve the goal of preserving and promoting the open Internet. Recognizing that the proposed framework needs to balance potentially competing interests while helping to ensure an open, safe, and secure Internet, the draft rules would permit broadband Internet access service providers to engage in reasonable network management, including but not limited to reasonable practices to reduce or mitigate the effects of network congestion. Under the draft proposed rules, subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service: 1.would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from sending or receiving the lawful content of the users choice over the Internet; News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 2.would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from running the lawful applications or using the lawful services of the users choice; 3.would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from connecting to and using on its network the users choice of lawful devices that do not harm the network; 4.would not be allowed to deprive any of its users of the users entitlement to competition among network providers, application providers, service providers, and content providers; 5.would be required to treat lawful content, applications, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner; and 6.would be required to disclose such information concerning network management and other practices as is reasonably required for users and content, application, and service providers to enjoy the protections specified in this rulemaking. Full release at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-294159A1.pdf
