A good decision by the FCC and Obama?

[Pushrod]

FCC to Propose 'Net Neutrality' Rules - WSJ.com

Seems like a good move to me. Keep the internets open and unblocked!

WASHINGTON – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will propose new rules that would prevent wireless-phone companies from blocking some Internet traffic, a move that could set off a battle between open-Internet proponents and phone and cable companies which don't want the government telling them how to run their networks.

In a speech Monday, Mr. Genachowski is expected to lay out his rational for the new rules, which would extend so-called net neutrality principles over wireless companies and would set a new rule requiring all Internet providers to use "reasonable" network-management practices in dealing with Internet traffic, according to people familiar with the proposal.

The FCC currently has four net neutrality principles, which require Internet providers to treat legal Internet data equally and prohibit companies from deliberately blocking or slowing traffic.

President Barack Obama had pledged to the technology community that he would support net neutrality.

Mr. Genachowski's proposal is designed to give the agency's net neutrality principles more legal heft in the face of possible challenges by Internet providers. Last year, Comcast Corp. challenged an FCC decision that it had violated the agency's net neutrality principles on the grounds that the FCC had never formally adopted such rules. That case is still pending in a federal appeals court.

The FCC proposal would essentially codify its existing principles and erase any uncertainty over whether the rules apply to wireless carriers. Wireless companies have argued that net neutrality rules don't apply to them and that they shouldn't, since some data-heavy applications can slow their networks.

Mr. Genachowski is expected to announce plans for the agency to open a formal rulemaking on the issue at its October meeting. The rules would have to be approved by a majority of the FCC's five-person board. Its three Democratic commissioners support net neutrality.

Write to Amy Schatz at Amy.Schatz@wsj.com