FCC holdouts to vote for neutrality rule

Copps echoed his concerns about the softness of the rules, which wouldn't prevent cellular carriers from charging by the type of site, nevertheless he hinted that the proposal was tougher than originally proposed. It will currently include a basic no-block rule to prevent carriers from banning competitive services on cellphones, like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and has an opening for tighter regulation if it becomes clear carriers are abusing their positions. "These past three weeks have been devoted on my part to intensive discussions about ensuring the continued openness of the Internet and putting consumers, not Big Phone and Big Cable, in maximum control of their online experiences," he explained. "I have been fighting for near a decade to make sure the Internet doesn't travel down the same road of special interest consolidation and gate-keeper control that other media and telecommunications industries -- radio, television, film and cable -- have traveled. What an historic tragedy it would be to let that fate befall the dynamism of the Internet." The two Republican commissioners, Robert McDowell and Meredith Baker, have both said they would vote against neutrality. McDowell in an essay insisted that Internet competition was largely flawless as-is and didn't need furthermore regulation. Some critics, including Democratic Senator Al Franken, have said the rules don't go far enough and could potentially be more damaging than no rules at all. Setting limits that don't properly regulate carriers could encourage them to abuse their positions more, knowing what they can do earlier the FCC can respond, he said. Carriers have nearly always objected to any form of regulatory pressure and have opposed the measure, though they are known to have lobbied the FCC heavily in an attempt to lighten the rules. The vocal resistance has been hailed by some as an indication that the net neutrality terms will have meanwhile some effect, since providers by and large only object when new rules and laws will have them face greater competition.

This rule will be implemented, carriers will find loopholes and if not abuse it, and at that time those loopholes will be closed and the law tightened to benefit consumers.Unless Republicans get in, clearly.Sorry Repubs, I'm not buying your argument that internet competition is free from abuse. I look at the industries Republicans have deregulated -- banks, finance firms, cable, phone and airlines -- and each and every single one of them has gotten worse for more money since that happened.