Has the FCC Given Up on Net Neutrality?

Last week there have been reports all over the web and mainstream media that the FCC has officially decided to throw in the towel and come up with a proposal that could spell the end of Net Neutrality as we know it. The alleged proposal would give ISP's preferential treatment to content producers who are willing to pay for better access to consumers.

However within a day after the news of the proposal hit the web, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler went on the FCC's blog and said that the news was all "a great deal of misinformation" which he says will be addressed when the official proposal is circulated among the commission. Whether or not Wheeler says he is planning to make the first draft of his Open Internet Notice of Proposed Rulemaking public remains to be seen as he hopes to have the proposal finished by the end of the year.

However, Wheeler's denial of the earlier reports of the FCC abandoning Net Neutrality is still being met with criticism. Chris Welch, a reporter for The Verge website said, "Despite his best efforts, Wheeler's words won't do much to calm the storm."

So the big question remains. Has the FCC given up on Net Neutrality entirely?

Source: FCC denies plans to kill net neutrality: http://rt.com/usa/154628-fcc-wheeler-denies-reports/

Net Neutrality Now Law in EU

Last week, the EU Parliament voted 543-25 in favor of Net Neutrality and also abolished roaming charges for mobile phone use in EU countries which is a step in the right direction as far as a free and open Internet goes.

With the signing of the new Net Neutrality bill, the EU officially closed loopholes in a proposed bill that would have created a two-tier Internet by way of the so-called Telecom Package which would have enabled Internet service providers the power to charge more for certain data-intensive content services which include streaming video and voice-over IP. It also ensures that universities, hospitals and the like are not pushed out of the market as a result of deals between Internet service providers and content providers.

This landmark vote is a step in the right direction. Now if only the US would do this . Come on, US, it's all up to you now.

Source: EU votes Net Neutrality into law, abolishes mobile roaming charges: http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/eu-votes-net-neutrality-law-abolishes-mobile-roaming-charges-239765