FCC Seeks Backdoor Compromise on Net Neutrality

Reports have indicated that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is holding meetings to settle their long-winded journey toward establishing net neutrality rules. Seeking an alternative to implementing rules that the industry is in opposition to, the agency hopes to still gain some authoritative control over the actions of Internet service providers (ISPs), possibly by partially reclassifying them as telecommunications common carriers. Unfortunately, it appears that corporate interests will be a the top of the agenda.

Rather than seeking public input of any kind on this important issue, talks are being conducted entirely behind closed doors with a list of stakeholders comprised solely of American ISPs as well as prominent Internet companies such as Google and Skype. Needless to say, most advocates of net neutrality are livid about such a blatant lack of a democratic process. Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver issued this statement in response:

"It is stunning that the FCC would convene meetings between industry giants to allow them determine how the agency should best protect the public interest. The Obama administration promised a new era of transparency, and to ‘take a backseat to no one’ on Net Neutrality, but these meetings seem to indicate that this FCC has no problem brokering backroom deals without any public input or scrutiny."

At the same time, The Hill reports that the Senate Commerce Committee will apparently be starting a series of closed door meetings this Friday which will analyze the FCC's ability to regulate broadband services. Hoping to overhaul the US's telecommunication laws for the first time since 1996, the list of stakeholders for this issue is also expected to consist of the same ISPs and major Internet companies.

Take a look at Ars Technica for further commentary.