The backlash is building over the plan to gut net neutrality

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The Republican-helmed Federal Communications Commission is expected to pull the plug on net neutrality rules in three weeks - but tech companies, entrepreneurs, and other concerned users are vowing to not go down without a fight.

On one side are internet service providers, who believe rolling back the Obama-era rules will allow them to innovate and offer customers new options at more competitive price points. Tech companies, including Google, Facebook and Apple have warned this could set a dangerous precedent, allowing these internet service providers to become gatekeepers of information and entertainment.

Google and Facebook both released statements on Tuesday saying they were "disappointed" and expressed concern for the effect that changes could have on consumers.

Engine, a nonprofit group representing more than 1,000 start-ups and investors, released an open letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai detailing how they're worried they won't have a fair chance under his proposal.

"Without net neutrality, the incumbents who provide access to the internet would be able to pick winners or losers in the market. They could impede traffic from our services in order to favor their own services or established competitors," the letter said. "Or they could impose new tolls on us, inhibiting consumer choice."

The signatories said they're worried these actions could hinder the ability of new entrepreneurs to start a business and have a global reach - shifting the focus away from the quality of their ventures to whether they have the "capacity to pay tolls to internet access providers."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-backlash-is-building-over-the-plan-to-gut-net-neutrality/ar-BBFw1gC?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=edgsp

So much for the myth of Republicans being for free enterprise.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

1. When Google, Facebook and Apple are being shafted we have to find

where the nefarious power behind this is located (not the politicians but the ultimate plan and money behind it all).

[PoliticAverse]

3. You might consider that Google, Facebook and Apple might be shafters. n/t

[TDale313]

4. Most likely? The Internet Sevice Providers.

Comcast, Verizon, AT&T. They can set up tiers and charge more for faster/better access to certain sites while throttling or blocking others. It’ll be like current cable plans but on steroids. Plus they’ll be able to control the public narrative to their benefit.

[BeyondGeography]

2. More than a few Republicans are for net neutrality

The ones with decent heads on the shoulders and who can admit that Obama wasn’t wrong about everything. A decided minority, granted, but it’s all hands on deck now/welcome aboard.

[MarvinGardens]

5. The ultimate solution is to enshrine net neutrality in law.

It will have to happen after 2018, probably 2020. The Democrats could make this one of their headline issues: To pass a federal statute defining ISPs as common carriers, enshrining net neutrality in law. Then we would not be relying on who is President to keep it in place. Of course, for now, we absolutely need the FCC to keep it.

[msongs]

8. exactly. internet should be a public utility nt.

[LibArts]

9. Your post should be archived for DU

On point!!

[MarvinGardens]

10. Thanks!

[Angry Dragon]

6. Japple gave me this this morning

Go to this link.
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/proceedings?q=name(17-108))

Click on "submit a filing" (top of page). On the next page, click on "express comment."

Fill in the required data (the proceeding is 17-108) and then make your comments. It's that easy.

Thanks to John Oliver for providing the link.

[msongs]

7. time to get your locality/city into the business of offering internet service nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. A lot of communities are forbidden to do so by state law

This website does a good job of covering Broadband issues.

http://stopthecap.com/