Why everyone hates new net neutrality rules-even NN supporters
It’s no surprise that those who have always opposed net neutrality weren’t pleased with today’s FCC order instituting it—one expects no less—but the sheer vehemence of the objections was still surprising. Republican FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell unleashed a biblical jeremiad against the order, accusing the FCC of becoming a “vigilante” which was taking this action only to help President Obama meet “a misguided campaign promise.” Today was one of the “darkest days in recent FCC history,” he said, adding that he had received a final draft only at 11:42 pm the night before the vote. As for ISPs, “Nothing is broken in the Internet access market.” He ended darkly by noting that the FCC’s “regulatory hubris” was a disease that could, thankfully, be cured by the courts. His GOP colleague, Commissioner Meredith Baker, had no less than seven major objections, including one that “we have turned prioritization into a dirty word.” To Baker, charging companies like Netflix for better access to ISP customers is unabashedly pro-consumer, since it might (insert a gentle cough of skepticism here) lower consumer broadband prices. As for network management, it’s an “engineering marvel.” Baker’s statement made clear—repeatedly—that she was bewildered by any view of ISPs as huge companies that might misuse their power and control, and she rejects any attempt to limit their “innovation.”
