FCC Releases Full Text of Net Neutrality Rules

The new net neutrality regulations from the Federal Communications Commission is not utility style regulation, is not a form of price regulation, doesn't give the government control over Internet content and will not embolden authoritarian states to tighten their grip on the Internet, according to a summary released Thursday by the agency along with the first public look at the complete text of the new Open Internet rules.

According to The Hollywood Reporter,  the FCC says in a release accompanying the full text, "means consumers can go where they want, when they want. It means innovators can develop products and services without asking for permission. It means consumers will demand more and better broadband as they enjoy new Internet services, applications and content."

"This Order," adds the agency, "implements bright line rules to ban blocking, throttling and paid prioritization (or "fast lanes") and, for the first time, the rules fully apply to mobile."

The FCC under chairman Tom Wheeler passed the new rules Feb. 26.

Reaction was predictable, especially from opponents.

"One thing is for sure: the Commission's claim that it is not imposing price regulation is clearly false," said Lawrence Spiwak, president of the Phoenix Center in Washington. "As the D.C. Circuit made clear in Verizon, the agency's attempt at a 'non-discrimination' and 'no blocking' rule is plainly regulation at a price of 'zero.'"

Daniel Berninger, founder of "tech elders," restated opposition to the use of Title II regulation. His group includes Mark Cuban, Tim Draper, Dave Farber, George Gilder and Bob Metcalfe.

"The Order reveals FCC ambitions through what it leaves out as much as what it includes," writes Berninger." The FCC fails to include a limiting principle and places the entire Internet ecosystem within the reach of regulatory discretion."

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