FCC moves forward on net neutrality rule-making

Discussion Policy
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
By Cecilia Kang
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 22, 2009; 11:38 AM

With a unanimous vote to move forward on a rule-making process for how the federal government will police access to the Internet, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski won a victory on his first major policy issue at the agency.

The chairman, picked by President Obama, said, "The heart of the problem is that, taken together, we face a dangerous combination of an uncertain legal framework with ongoing as well as emerging challenges to a free and open Internet."

Republican Commissioners Robert McDowell and Meredith Attwell Baker voted in favor of the proposal but said they dissented on "facts" of the proposal. They said their votes are for the beginning of a data-gathering process, which should last at least 120 days. They did not say whether they will vote in favor of ultimate rules and have disagreed that the Internet appears to need more regulation.



More in Technology

Brian Krebs

Security Fix

Brian Krebs on how to protect yourself from the latest online security threats.

Post I.T.

Post Tech Blog

Reporting on the crossroads of technology and culture.

Rob Pegoraro

Faster Forward

Tech columnist Rob Pegoraro blogs about gadgets, software, tech glitches and more.

© 2009 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive