Proposed Net Neutrality Bill Would Let Service Providers off Easy

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Why All the Hype Over Net Neutrality?

Learn what net neutrality is all about and why it's so important.

TheStreet.com reported Tuesday that proposed net neutrality legislation would go much lighter on wireless and wireline broadband service providers than many open Internet advocates would like. More particularly, the bill would limit the Federal Communications Commission's rule-making and enforcement authority, which would ultimately work in favor of service providers.

Accordng to a draft of the bill, it would prevent wireless service providers from blocking lawful websites or "unjustly or unreasonably discriminat[ing] in transmitting lawful traffic over a consumer's wireline broadband Internet access service." It would also prevent the FCC from reclassifying broadband under Title II of the Communications Act, and require the agency to take a case-by-case approach to enforcement.

TheStreet.com says a report by Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett indicates that though the bill would allow cable service providers to maintain their pricing power, raising prices too much could result in subscribers lost.

Stakeholders on both sides of the net neutrality debate have been calling on Congress to move on the issue, especially since the FCC has effectively delayed further rulemaking until after the fall elections.