Obama: Regulate broadband Internet like a utility so it 'works for everyone'

President Obama calls for tighter rules from the FCC -- leaving a little bit of wiggle room -- in an effort to preserve a "free and open Internet."

www.cnet.com...

Let me get this straight?

In a 'effort' for a free and open internet we need more regulation!

In a statement released Monday, Obama called on the Federal Communications Commission to enforce the principle of treating all Internet traffic the same way, known in shorthand as Net neutrality. That means treating broadband services like utilities, the president said, so that Internet service providers would be unable "to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas."

That last part sounds familiar.

Hell they did that with 'everyone' gets a home.

Hell they did that with guns too. The government get's the fast lane with full auto.

Us little people got the slow lane with semi auto.

Some of the major broadband providers have already spoken out against the plan. "Reclassification under Title II, which for the first time would apply 1930s-era utility regulation to the Internet, would be a radical reversal of course that would in and of itself threaten great harm to an open Internet, competition and innovation," Verizon said in an e-mailed statement.

1930's era regulation eh.

Obama, however, said that the FCC should limit some of the regulation relating to rates and "other provisions less relevant to broadband," creating potential wiggle room for further debate on the limitations.

Wait what ?

'limit' rate hikes. Which means THERE WILL BE RATE HIKES.

Just a few. People 'won't' mind just a few!

This is a basic acknowledgment," Obama said, "of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone -- not just one or two companies."

I have heard this song and dance before.

The subprime mortgage melt down, and some exchanges someone in other thread was criticizing.

And that new student loan debt that is now over 1 trillion dollars.

Hell I can see it now!

Robbing from one group, and give to another group who can't afford 'internets'.

Hell it's a GD utility now.

People 'can't live' without untitlies these days.

It's working fine right now.

WHY does the Government need to get involved in everything?

originally posted by: Metallicus

WHY does the Government need to get involved in everything?

Because 75% of every pound you earn is not enough for the government & because they want to be your lifelong rapist and # you every day.

The Socialist shtick again - being "fair" to everyone
That always ends up meaning giving government or the big corporations more control over something.
As well as all the little guys coughing up more to pay for it.

I do not see how he has much power over what he wants now. Short of exuctive actions the repubs will own an changes made in the next couple yrs? Perhaps he is making a wishlist for santa.

Now, if I remember correctly, Verizon and AT&T are the 2 providers that have been adamant about limiting and throttling down customers, based on what they deem adequate for people.

So if you ask me, anything that shakes Verizon's cage and makes them send a dissenting email is a step in the right direction...

At the same time, trying to classify the internet as a public utility, does seem like a way to charge and tax internet use further than the charges already incurred through your internet service provider/cellular company.

..... I just don't know what to do anymore

All I know is that there is ZERO competition where I live for internet. The service provider owns all the underground cables. The also own the cable company and are a telephone provider as well. We pay insane rates for really slow, capped data packages.

The problem is, no one has the $$ to tear up the city and lay new data lines. There will never be competition in my city because of that.

My other options are satellite or very slow DSL from a much smaller company.

a reply to: neo96

Like I said in the other thread, the political party in power looks to be the GOP.

Now we've seen impartial actions by the Justice Department and the IRS being used for partisan practices.

Imagine the abuses of a GOP controlled DC.

He isn't trying to change anything, he is trying to prevent the change of how the net currently works.
Verizon and crew want to create a new system, he is acting like he wants to stop that....
I don't think he really does but that is what is being said here

Edit: Hang on, I misread a part of that. My bad. Yeah, this is going to have pro's & cons alike.

Please use the existing thread