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Net Neutrality: FCC vs. Comcast. Willis Falls April 22, 2010. Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality—No restrictions on web traffic No blocking No slowing of traffic FCC has sought to require Internet providers to provide equal treatment to all traffic
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Net Neutrality: FCC vs. Comcast Willis Falls April 22, 2010
Net Neutrality • Net Neutrality—No restrictions on web traffic • No blocking • No slowing of traffic • FCC has sought to require Internet providers to provide equal treatment to all traffic • Comcast violated FCC rules by slowing traffic to select sites
FCC vs. Comcast • FCC sanctioned Comcast for slowing traffic to BitTorrent. • Slowing traffic violated FCC rules of equal traffic treatment • Comcast was not fined • Court ruled in favor of Comcast
Effects of Ruling • FCC status as Internet provider watchdog is weakened • Frees broadband providers from FCC regulations • ISPs would be allowed to block selected sites • Hulu, YouTube, BitTorrent
Comcast • Throughout this process, Comcast has been seeking approval of its merger with NBC Universal • Largest cable provider along with the vast media library of NBC Universal • Comcast will be allow to censure material and motive to do so once merged with NBC • Censure CBS, ABC, FOX, Hulu?
Resources Kang, Cecilia. "Court Rules for Comcast over FCC in 'net Neutrality' Case." Washingtonpost.com - Nation, World, Technology and Washington Area News and Headlines. 7 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040600742.html>. "Network Neutrality." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality>.