A report by Richard Hermann published on the Irondequiost Post recalled the latest ruling on net neutrality by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. It is to note that the US Federal Communication Commission prohibits broadband providers from imposing limitations on Internet traffic, which is the foundation of most of the wireless providers' pay-for-play offerings. Hermann said the court decided that the authority of the FCC does not cover the matter regarding Internet traffic, and that it has no power over implementing its rules, particularly about net neutrality.
Net neutrality is defined by Hermann as the prohibition of the ability of broadband providers from discriminating any type of Internet traffic for no reason.
"If you wind up paying more for what you have been receiving free-of-charge, don't be surprised. If access to your favorite websites slows to a crawl, don't be surprised. This is what the appeals court decision will inevitably mean," Hermann warned, foreseeing an event that customers will get cheated out more once the FCC ruling will be forcefully abolished.
Big broadband provider firms, including Verizon Communications and Comcast, expressed concerns about the latest Court of Appeals ruling, as this would strip away their control over what Hermann has regarded as an "Internet fast lane." On the other hand, the net neutrality rule by the FCC has contributed greatly in a sense that customers have access to competitive offerings from their service providers
Hermann believes that despite the complexities of the net neutrality principle, he stands by the fact that this is somewhat an essential rule that should be brought back with a little tweaking to please legal authorities.
"Of course, Congress can right this judicial wrong. But that would take bipartisanship and suspending the temptation to favor the rich and powerful that have rendered Congress a one-party caucus - the party of money," he said.
