After net neutrality: Brace for internet ‘fast lanes’

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Now that federal telecom regulators have repealed net neutrality, it may be time to brace for the arrival of internet “fast lanes” and “slow lanes.”

The Associated Press queried some of the major internet providers about their post-net-neutrality plans, and all of them equivocated when asked if they might establish fast and slow lanes. None of the companies – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile – would rule out the possibility.

VERIZON

Fast lanes: No specific response

Block or slow down sites: Says it doesn’t do so, but declined to address the future

In a Nov. 21 statement, Verizon senior vice president Kathy Grillo said: “We continue to believe that users should be able to access the internet when, where and how they choose, and our customers will continue to do so.”

SPRINT

Fast lanes: No specific response

Block or slow down sites: Says it doesn’t block sites, but declined to address the future

In a press release Dec. 14, Sprint wrote: “Our position has been and continues to be that competition is the best way to promote an open internet.” From its “open internet” website: “Sprint does not block sites based on content or subject.”

T-MOBILE

Fast lanes: No response about future plans

Block or slow down sites: No response about future plans

A company spokeswoman pointed to a February 2015 statement from T-Mobile CEO John Legere: “We have always believed in competition and in a free, open internet with rules that protect net neutrality – no blocking, no discrimination and transparency.”

AT&T

Fast lanes: No specific response

Block or slow down sites: Says it “will not” do so

Spokesman Mike Balmoris didn’t specifically answer when asked if AT&T will create fast lanes. In a Nov. 30 blog post, AT&T senior executive vice president Bob Quinn said: “We will not block websites, we will not throttle or degrade internet traffic based on content, and we will not unfairly discriminate in our treatment of internet traffic.”