The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved a proposal for an open Internet. Proponents such as Google, eBay and more than a dozen others have voiced support, while opponents, including Comcast, Verizon Communications, and AT&T, say the government needs to take a close look its involvement.
The rule change means consumers will have more say in which Internet products succeed and entrepreneurs, technologists and investors will have an opportunity to develop products and services to spur innovation and new business, executives from 24 companies said in a letter to the FCC.
The change gives telephone and cable companies such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon less control over the Internet content that customers can view. The opponents believe the new rules will only apply to them and not to Internet companies like Google and Amazon.com.
Moving To Block the FCC
Just hours after the FCC moved to create the new rules, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced legislation to block the rules. His Internet Freedom Act would bar the FCC from implementing rules stopping broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing Internet content and applications.
“Today I’m pleased to introduce The Internet Freedom Act of 2009 that will keep the Internet free from government control and regulation,” McCain said. “It will allow for continued innovation that will in turn create more high-paying jobs for the millions of Americans who are out of work or seeking new employment.”
Comcast, which has been an opponent of the FCC rule change, said it wants the FCC to take a closer look at the issue.
“We share and embrace the objective of an open Internet, as we always have,” said David Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast. “While we may ultimately not agree on the level and extent of government involvement needed to accomplish this important objective, we…