Verizon in court to block net neutrality ruling
'The feds aren't the boss of us'
Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup/Recovery
Verizon Communications has filed an appeal in a US court to block the Federal Communications Commission's new net neutrality rules.
The edict, which dictates how internet service providers can manage their networks, is due to come into force on 20 November, despite much criticism from both neutral net nuts and big business.
If the FCC has its way, ISPs won't be able to block users from accessing lawful content or services, or prioritise certain traffic, e.g. making their own movie service stream faster than the competition's:
Fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful web sites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services.
Providers would also be required to be transparent about how they manage their networks:
Fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and terms and conditions of their broadband services.
Some critics of the rules say they don't want Big Brother regulating the internet in any way, while others argue that what the government has come up with are weak regulations that favour the companies with a large internet presence.
Verizon says the FCC has no authority to impose these kinds of rules and wants the US Court of Appeal in Washington DC to agree with it.
"We are deeply concerned by the FCC's assertion of broad authority to impose potentially sweeping and unneeded regulations on broadband networks and services and on the internet itself," Michael E. Glover, senior VP and deputy general counsel for Verizon said in a canned statement. "We believe this assertion of authority is inconsistent with the statute and will create uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers."
He added that Verizon was, of course, "fully committed" to an open internet.
It's the second time Verizon has tried to block the FCC's rules, having already launched an appeal earlier in the year that the court threw out because it was premature. Usually, FCC regulations can't be challenged until they're published in the Federal Register, which has now been done.
The fight is also happening along party lines in the US, with the Democrats largely backing the FCC on the issue, while the Republicans want the rules overturned. ®
COMMENTS
"fully committed" to an open internet
Which is why they're suing to prevent rules establishing it as such...
Makes perfect sense to me.
Verizon, you may get the wrong end of the stick but you asked for it
The FCC does have the power to govern the telephone system and dial up internet. Since Verizon is making their telephony services all IP instead of POTS it does not relieve them of the original regulatory burden, in fact it may prove they are trying to skirt the existing laws.
I believe that existing law covering POTS & Dialup Internet requires that Network Backbone Providers (Verizon, AT&T Etc.) allow for unimpeded competition from third party ISP's over the backbone network. That network has been "IP" for about 10 years now.
It is not a stretch to consider "Net Neutrality" regulations cover what is essentially the same ground.
The real question is how much "graft" (Campaign contributions) have Verizon paid so far and to whom!
FIOS Phonys hold content hostage.
Verizon is trying to force a "you can only get it at Verizon" with FIOS when it isn't even here.
Maybe there network wouldn't need throttling if they provided the fiber service they talk up so much.
I have seen to many FIOS commercials about how great it is while still not available where I live.
It should be the next thing for the FCC to look into.
I'm not in the middle of nowhere, I live in New Jersey, one of the most populated States in the US.
It's between New York City and Philadelphia, which is between Boston and Washington DC, at one of the most concentrated population points in the US.
If they want my money, give me the infrastructure that they promise, not hold content hostage as an excuse for a slower network.
IT infrastructure monitoring strategies
Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
Steps to Take Before Choosing a Business Continuity Partner
Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider
Data control in the cloud
