RIP Internet?

With the recent events that are going on right now, I figure that I'd post in here again especially in the wake of the FCC's decision to repeal Net Neutrality yesterday. 

In this post, which is an episode of my daily vlog series One Lone Cat (now exclusively available on my main website blackcatloner.com), I offer my thoughts on the FCC's controversial decision.

Also the fight is not over yet as Congress has the power to overturn this decision. All you have to do is go to http://battleforthenet.com and write to your congressman as well as call them and join an online protest.

Fight For The Net

This is why your Internet is slow. And it’ll get worse. Unless you take 1 min to do this, now. http://t.co/i3UOQka56u pic.twitter.com/b97tYJCe0X
— Timothy Haines (@netneutralityhc) September 10, 2014

I never thought I would be posting on here again after my Social Media class ended last semester but since the Internet is slow today because of the ongoing battle for Net Neutrality, I decided it was time to come back and do a quick blog starting off with my tweet which will take you to the Fight for the Future website where you can add your name, share this important message on your various social media outlets or donate a dollar if you so wish. Either way, let's get this message spread out and save the Internet from the cable companies.

Net Neutrality Awareness in Social Media

So far throughout my Social Media class course I have been able to branch out into a few different areas of social media to get the word out about Net Neutrality Awareness. If you haven't already, here are the links to the different sites where to go for the latest news in the world of Net Neutrality:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/netneutralityawareness

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/netneutralityhc

Tumblr: https://netneutralityawareness.tumblr.com

Once again, thank you for your support throughout this semester and let's continue the fight for an open Internet.

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

FCC is still working to keep Net Neutrality Alive

Still reeling from its defeat in the US Appeals Court's decision to throw out the Net Neutrality laws in January and under mounting pressure from Democrats in Congress, the FCC has revealed that it has been working on a plan that will preserve the idea of a free and open Internet.

Among some of the actions that the FCC could fix is to reclassify broadband carriers such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast among others as "common carriers" which would put them in the same category as phone companies. They could also appeal to Congress to revise the Communications Act to include Net Neutrality in its statutes. However, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler warned that while a revision is necessary, it could take years and by the time such a revision becomes law, it would end up becoming quickly outdated.

That while the FCC's plan as to how they intend to keep Net Neutrality alive remains to be seen. However, one thing remains clear: The FCC is facing pressure from Democrats to come up with a legal solution quickly that would stand up to judicial scrutiny. 

And as a person who works on the Internet, I wholeheartedly agree with the Democrats on this. The FCC needs to act quickly because the future of those who need the Internet for their businesses, careers, or anything else they use it for is on the line.

Source: "Amid Political Pressure, FCC to Propose Net Neutrality Fix"- http://www.cnet.com/news/amid-political-pressure-fcc-to-propose-net-neutrality-fix/

Net Neutrality Awareness on Twitter

I have officially created a Twitter page for my topic on Net Neutrality Awareness. If you want to follow it, here is the link: http://twitter.com/netneutralityhc

Thank you everyone and continue to help spread the word about Net Neutrality.