Net Neutrality Challenged by Verizon

Verizon, is saying the FCC overstepped its boundaries by imposing rules that prohibit Internet Providers from favoring certain groups, content and such over other groups.  What would be the driving force behind an ISP to favor a business over an individual in providing certain guaranteed speeds or content?  Certainly money would be my first thought, but also in that soon we'll have NBC/ Comcast as a major player in providing content and internet services to a greater chunk of America.  We will have the other content providers being shuffled to the sidelines by organizations (Verizon) that want to promote their shows, services and name brand ahead of all others.

Will Americans suffer because we don't have laws in place protecting internet content and availability--yes, as this also would keep ISPs from putting low paying option plans in last place concerning bandwidth priority.  That means not everyone is created equal when accessing the "free world wide web".  ... lakotahope

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Verizon Challenges FCC's Net Neutrality Rules

Published January 20, 2011

| Associated Press

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

WASHINGTON –  Verizon says it has filed a court challenge to new federal regulations that prohibit broadband providers from interfering with Internet traffic flowing over their networks.

A divided Federal Communications Commission adopted the "network neutrality" rules last month. Verizon Communications filed the challenge Thursday in federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, it says.

The new rules prohibit phone and cable companies from favoring or discriminating against Internet content and services that travel over their networks -- including online calling services such as Skype, Internet video services such as Netflix and other applications that compete with their core businesses.

In its court filing, Verizon argues that the FCC overstepped its authority in adopting the regulations.

The new rules are also expected to be challenged by Republicans in Congress.