Draft net neutrality legislation leaked from the office of Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) would strip the FCC of its Title II reclassification option and impose fewer regulations on wireless operators.
The FCC’s plan to reclassify broadband Internet services under Title II of the Telecommunications Act has been heavily opposed by the wireless industry.
A draft of the bill leaked to several websites states the FCC “may not impose regulations on broadband Internet access service or any component thereof under Title II of the Communications Act.”
The draft regulations from Waxman, who heads the House Energy and Commerce Committee, give the FCC the authority to enforce net neutrality rules that would stop wireless operators from blocking consumers “accessing lawful Internet websites, subject to reasonable network management.”
Wireless operators would also be prohibited from blocking “lawful applications that compete with the provider’s voice or video communications services in which the provider has an attributable interest, subject to reasonable network management.”
Both wireless and wireline operators would be required to disclose “accurate and relevant information in plain language regarding the price, performance and network management practices” about broadband Internet services.
It remains to be seen what reception Waxman’s legislation will get in the House. The draft has yet to be formally introduced as a bill and is a long way from becoming law.
Filed Under: Industry regulations