FCC chief does damage control on net neutrality bill

FCC Chief Tom Wheeler is reportedly making changes to the current proposal regarding net neutrality. In what appears to be a compromise to the backlash surrounding the issue, Wheeler may be disallowing providers to throttle or speed up the transfer of certain data.

Opponents of Wheeler's proposal say the Internet would essentially be split into two speeds: fast, and slow — likely very slow. Companies such as Google, Facebook and the like want the Internet to remain a free and open enterprise. Wheeler's new solution allegedly safeguards that.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that new language prevents an Internet provider from differentiating between which content gets pushed faster to us. Furthermore, the FCC may get the option to examine deals providers ink to discover whether or not they may in any way violate or cleverly sidestep this deal.

Of course, there is a bit of a caveat, here. Wheeler's new proposal will incite commentary on whether or not broadband Internet service should be deemed a public utility, giving the FCC greater oversight. This reclassification is a major sticking point to the net neutrality debate, with AT&T being the most recent company to speak out against it.

The proposal, in its new form, is up for a vote this Thursday, after which it will be opened up for public commentary. This amendment is said to try to straddle the line between the original document and public outcry for an actual open Internet. Wheeler, of all people, should know there is no grey area this time; straddling lines won't cut it.

Source: The Wall Street Journal