FCC Asks for more Input on Network Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission has released a Public Notice seeking further input in its Network Neutrality/Open Internet proceeding.

The Notice focuses on two issues. The first is the relationship between open Internet protections and services that are provided over the same last-mile facilities as broadband Internet access service (commonly called "managed" or "specialized" services).

The second is the application of open Internet rules to mobile wireless Internet access services, which have unique characteristics related to technology, associated application and device markets, and consumer usage. The FCC's original Notice of Proposed Rulemaking raised both of these issues but addressed them in less detail than many other issues, and the FCC's analysis, it now says, would benefit from further development of these issues in the record.

The FCC will soon public the Public Notice in the Federal Register and comments will be due 30 days thereafter. That will be followed by a 55 day period in which interested parties can review the docket and offer reply comments. With 62 days between Sept 1 and the November 2 election, the FCC has delayed a decision in the proceeding launched last October until we know the make-up of the next Congress.

FCC Chairman Genachowski said, "Recent events have highlighted questions on how open Internet rules should apply to 'specialized' services and to mobile broadband -- what framework will guarantee Internet freedom and openness, and maximize private investment and innovation. As we've seen, the issues are complex, and the details matter. Even a proposal for enforceable rules can be flawed in its specifics and risk undermining the fundamental goal of preserving the open Internet."