FCC: Revolt At The Palace

Jessica Rosenworcel

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s controversial net neutrality proposal showed signs of fraying Wednesday, taking hits from a fellow Democratic commissioner and the nation’s leading tech companies, according to Politico.

After weeks of backlash, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said a scheduled May 15 vote on the plan should be delayed at least a month, while Google, Facebook and other Web giants slammed the proposal as a “grave threat to the Internet.”

Wheeler late Wednesday vowed to move forward with the vote. The plan has sparked a firestorm of criticism for allowing Internet service providers like AT&T and Verizon to charge companies for faster delivery of content.

“I have real concerns about FCC Chairman Wheeler’s proposal on network neutrality — which is before the agency right now,” Rosenworcel said during a Washington speech. “While I do not know now where this conversation will head on a substantive basis, I can tell you right now I have real concerns about process.”

Without Rosenworcel’s support, Wheeler’s plan is unlikely to win the three commission votes necessary to go forward. Despite the opposition, the chairman showed no signs of backing down.

Read More Now