Net Neutrality: What Steve Wozniak Thinks (video) & FCC Meets May 18

Here’s what Steve Wozniak thinks of the net neutrality battle

Video above published Apr 30, 2017: There have only been two occasions when Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak felt he needed to fly to Washington, DC for an important ruling and they both involved decisions on net neutrality. If you're not familiar with the concept — net neutrality is the idea that all information moving across the internet should be treated equally. On the other hand, internet service providers like Verizon and AT&T believe that if a video streaming site wants to ensure speedy delivery of their content, they should have to pay more for access to a high-speed internet fast lane. We spoke with Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak to find out why he believes net neutrality is so important. Following is a transcript of the video.

I twice in my life flew to Washington, DC to be at a meeting where an important decision was coming down and it was two rulings on net neutrality, and I was present in the audience. And that probably says enough about my own feelings. I'm also one of the founders of the EFF. And I always favor those who don't have money, the people who are attending our comic-con, I favor them over the people who have money and power and wealth.Like big companies — be it Google, be it even Apple, I always favor the small one and net neutrality kind of ensures the big guys will have a route in. Look who our President is going to look to for advice and the advice he's going to get is “let us rule, let us rule the internet and let us have lower taxes” and that just fights against the little guy.

May 18, 2017 Open Commission Meeting | Federal Communications Commission | fcc.gov:
10:30 am - 12:30 pm EDT, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street S.W., Washington, DC.
Watch the LIVE Video.

FCC Meeting Agenda Item 6: "Restoring Internet Freedom: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to restore the Internet to a light-touch regulatory framework by classifying broadband Internet access service as an information service and by seeking comment on the existing rules governing Internet service providers' practices. (WC Docket No. 17-108)."

Current FCC Chairman: Ajit Pai serves with Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner Michael O'Rielly. There are two vacancies on the FCC, who will be appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate for five-year terms. The U.S. President also designates one of the commissioners to serve as chairman (in this case President Trump has already so designated Ajit Pai).

Complete agenda (pdf)

Public Notice: Sunshine Period in the Restoring Internet Freedom Proceeding Begins

Circulation Document (pdf)

To file a comment go to: https://dearfcc.org/  (Note: dearFCC.org will hold your comments, and submit them when the record opens.)

 #titleII Tweets

feedback & comments via twitter @DomainMondo
Follow @DomainMondo

DISCLAIMER

Internet Association To File Brief In Support of FCC, Net Neutrality

Internet Association's Notice of Intent to File an Amicus Curiae Brief in support of FCC and US government

On August 7, 2015, counsel for the Internet Association filed a Notice of Intent to File an Amicus Curiae Brief (pdf) in support of the Respondents, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United States of America, in a pending appeal filed by the United States Telecom Association et al, Petitioners. Oral argument is scheduled for December 4, 2015.

The United States Telecom Association (domain name: ustelecom.org) is a trade association representing telecom companies (AT&T, Verizon, and others) who oppose the FCC's Open Internet, Net Neutrality rules adopted February 26, 2015, which ensure "consumers and businesses have access to a fast, fair, and open Internet."

The Internet Association (domain name: internetassociation.org) represents "America’s leading Internet companies and their global community of users." (source: Internet Association)

Internet Association members include Airbnb, Amazon, Auction.com, Coinbase, eBay, Etsy, Expedia, Facebook, FanDuel, Gilt, Google, Groupon, IAC, Intuit, LinkedIn, Lyft, Monster Worldwide, Netflix, Pandora, PayPal, Pinterest, Practice Fusion, Rackspace, Reddit, Salesforce.com, Sidecar, Snapchat, SurveyMonkey, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Uber Technologies, Inc., Yahoo!, Yelp, Zenefits, and Zynga.

Open Internet | FCC.gov: "An Open Internet means consumers can go where they want, when they want. This principle is often referred to as Net Neutrality. It means innovators can develop products and services without asking for permission. It means consumers will demand more and better broadband as they enjoy new lawful Internet services, applications and content, and broadband providers cannot block, throttle, or create special "fast lanes" for that content. The FCC's Open Internet rules protect and maintain open, uninhibited access to legal online content without broadband Internet access providers being allowed to block, impair, or establish fast/slow lanes to lawful content. --The Rules--Adopted on February 26, 2015, the FCC's Open Internet rules are designed to protect free expression and innovation on the Internet and promote investment in the nation's broadband networks. The Open Internet rules are grounded in the strongest possible legal foundation by relying on multiple sources of authority, including: Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. As part of this decision, the Commission also refrains (or "forbears") from enforcing provisions of Title II that are not relevant to modern broadband service. Together Title II and Section 706 support clear rules of the road, providing the certainty needed for innovators and investors, and the competitive choices and freedom demanded by consumers. The Open Internet rules went into effect on June 12, 2015. They are ensuring consumers and businesses have access to a fast, fair, and open Internet. The new rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband service." (emphasis added)

See also on Domain Mondo:

• FCC Net Neutrality, Open Internet Rules In Effect, DC Court Denies Stay
• Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Protects Innovators and Consumers
• FCC Net Neutrality Hearing and Order For An Open Internet (video)
• Senate Committee Hearing on FCC, Open Internet Order

See also: Upgrading Media Rules to Better Serve Consumers in Today’s Video Marketplace | FCC.gov: "In December of last year, Congress passed bipartisan legislation known as the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act of 2014, which instructs and permits the Commission to modernize rules regarding the satellite, cable, and broadcast television markets. Today, I am circulating a bundle of orders and proposals that fulfill this mandate to better reflect today’s media marketplace and further protect the public interest." -- Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman


Follow @DomainMondo

Senate Committee Hearing on FCC, Open Internet Order, 2:30 pm EDT

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Hearing: Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, March 18, 2015, 2:30 PM EDT (US) - This Full Committee hearing will take place in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on the Senate Committee Hearing website.

"U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. As part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, the hearing will have a broad scope covering every aspect of the agency, from its Fiscal Year 2016 budget request to major policy issues before the Commission. This will be the Committee’s first public opportunity to directly question the Commission about its controversial Open Internet Order. The Committee is also expected to explore matters related to the modernization of the nation’s communications laws and the reauthorization of the agency, which has not occurred in 25 years." (source: US Senate Committee Hearing website, supra)

Witnesses:
- The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

UPDATE (after House hearing Tuesday): Grading Wheeler’s first day on the Hill — Now he faces the Senate — POLITICO: "Tuesday morning was a contentious one for Wheeler as he faced House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz and other Republicans on the committee. There was meticulous questioning of Wheeler’s nine meetings with White House officials over the past year, Alex reports, as Republicans tried to paint a too-cozy connection between the agency and the president. Transparency was also in the spotlight, with Chaffetz alleging the FCC has improperly responded to congressional inquiries and FOIA requests. “[Wheeler’s] demeanor set a defiant tone for the next two weeks, which will see him testify four more times before four other GOP-led committees intent on chipping away at his Internet rules,” Alex writes... Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly: “I think he did superbly well. I didn’t think they laid a glove on him. … He was firm without being disrespectful. I think he brushed aside their insinuations like a fly.”"

Follow @DomainMondo