Give the FCC authority it needs to monitor broadband

Opinion: June 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Seattle Times: The Federal Communications Commission is looking at consumer-friendly rules that treat broadband access as a common carrier, the way telecommunications companies have been regulated for generations. The effort deserves strong support.

Howling by Internet-service providers is an indication FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is headed in the right direction. His proposed rules of the road focus on open access to broadband services.

The chairman is making a welcome effort to address a federal-court ruling that existing regulations do not give the FCC authority to write and enforce Net-neutrality directives to the industry.

Guard against gatekeepers

Genachowski is absolutely right to ensure Internet-service providers do not emerge as gatekeepers with the ability to slow or block the content of commercial competitors — rivals with few options for reaching their customers.

The FCC chairman made it plain in a Washington Post article he favors the narrowest of rules on broadband providers, avoiding burdensome intrusions on rate regulations and network-sharing obligations. He also makes it clear the regulatory effort is not about Internet content or services.

The commission was headed in this direction before the court ruling. The FCC is the proper regulatory environment to oversee broadband-access issues.

Consumers are best protected by clear FCC rules and oversight to prevent interference with broadband access by Internet providers.