We outline yesterday\u2019s FCC ruling on net neutrality, and briefly discuss its implications.<\/em><\/p>\n

The debate on net neutrality has been protracted and acrimonious. The topic was among our earliest posts when we launched ICT Pulse, in January 2011, and it has not yet been resolved. The United States of America (US) has been the most prominent battleground, where lobbyists \u2013 both for and against net neutrality \u2013 members of the US Congress and the President, have all been weighing in on the subject.<\/p>\n

The dawning of a new age?<\/h3>\n

Yesterday, 26 February, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an important ruling in favour net neutrality. With the purpose of maintaining an Open Internet, the organisation set out the following three rules in its decision:<\/p>\n

Bright Line Rules<\/strong>: The first three rules ban practices that are known to harm the Open Internet:<\/p>\n

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• No Blocking<\/strong>: broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.<\/li>\n
• No Throttling<\/strong>: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.<\/li>\n
• No Paid Prioritization<\/strong>: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind\u2014in other words, no \u201cfast lanes.\u201d This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  (Source: FCC<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

  Essentially the ruling supports equal and fair access to the Internet. Internet Service providers (ISPs) are not allowed to offer preferential high-speed services to those prepared to pay, or degrade or block the service of others.<\/p>\n