Net neutrality has a new supporter who happens to be the most powerful man on the planet. President Obama has come out in support of net neutrality and has urged the FCC to reclassify internet service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, because it is high time that the FCC recognize that “for most Americans, the internet has become an essential part of everyday communication and everyday life.”
There has been a lot of debate over net neutrality which is essentially a principle which seeks to treat all internet traffic equally, no matter what service it originates from. The debate is over the so-called “fast lanes,” which would allow ISPs to speed up websites based on their own preferences, ISPs would be able to charge for these fast lanes from those websites and that is something which doesn’t sit too well with most people.
President Obama coming out in support for Title II reclassification perhaps lends one of the most powerful voices for the protection of net neutrality. It comes at an important time too, the FCC is drafting new rules for net neutrality which includes the provision of fast lanes.
Reclassification would regulate internet service under Title II as a utility which would mean that ISPs wouldn’t have that sort of control over the traffic. They’ll merely be pumping it through the pipes.
President Obama’s full statement on the matter can be read on the White House website.
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