Appeals court skeptical of FCC's Internet access rules2013-09-10 09:41 by DanielaTags: FCC, Net neutraity
Verizon got the support of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia yesterday, in a case appealing FCC Net neutrality rules passed in December 2010. At an oral argument Monday, two of the three judges on a panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals indicated that they believe the FCC lacks the authority to prohibit Internet service providers from discriminating against websites. Current U.S. Federal Communications Commission rules prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing web traffic go beyond the agency's authority granted by the U.S. Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Verizon lawyer Helgi Walker told judges. Supporters of the rules argue that they are necessary to protect a free and open Internet, and that all websites should be treated equally. They worry that discrimination by providers could prevent the next Google from even getting off the ground. Analysts said the judges will take months to issue a final opinion, but comments by judges made during the oral arguments appeared favorable for telecom and cable firms. The FCC's net-neutrality rules don't apply to wireless firms. Read more -here-
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