The best way to accomplish that is to classify the Internet as a common carrier, much like other public utilities, giving all parties equal, open access to online materials.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a former cable industry lobbyist, doesn't see it that way. Imagine that. He's more interested in helping megacompanies maximize their profits at the expense of consumers and tech startup firms.
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the FCC is considering a new hybrid proposal that has gained favor with staff. It could settle what has become a raging debate over how the Internet should be governed. Rather than treat the Internet as one universe, the proposal would create a divide between retail and wholesale transactions.
In short, net neutrality principles essentially would be retained for broadband providers and content providers and their wholesale transactions. It would block the idea of broadband providers giving content providers faster connections if they pay more for access.
The problem is on the retail end, where the FCC is proposing that it only lightly regulate the transactions that Internet service providers offer directly to consumers. For example, broadband companies could charge competing companies such as Netflix heavy fees for accessing users.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings argues that broadband providers such as Comcast shouldn't charge content providers and broadband subscribers for the right to connect with one another. That would violate the concept of a free and open Internet. Given the cavalcade of mergers in the telecommunications industry, the fear is that providers will be able to drive up costs to the point at which only the wealthier content providers and consumers will be able to access quality, high-speed material.
Silicon Valley's success has been driven by innovative startups able to exploit new opportunities, thanks largely to open, equal Internet access for all players. If broadband providers are allowed to charge large sums for access to the highest-quality, fastest Internet channels, it will create a have/have not culture and severely limit the growth of the technology industry as well as consumer opportunities.
The FCC proposal stems from a U.S. appeals court ruling in January throwing out a set of rules the FCC crafted in 2010 to govern the Internet. The ruling largely was based on the FCC's failure to classify broadband providers as common carriers.
That is what needs to happen. President Barack Obama needs to weigh in and remind his FCC chair that he's supposed to be working on behalf of the public interest.
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