AT&T And Others Ask FCC For Stay On Net Neutrality Rules

AT&T and other telecommunications and cable firms are trying to get the FCC to delay the roll out of the net neutrality rules that have been passed. AT&T and the other firms have field a stay request in an attempt to get the FCC to stop the reclassification of broadband internet from a service to a public utility.

The FCC ruled that the change would happen in February and part of the reason for reclassifying broadband as a utility was to give the power to implement net neutrality rules to the FCC. The net neutrality rules will have three basic guidelines that will prevent service providers from blocking access to legal content, throttling internet traffic, and from offering paid prioritization.

The FCC has promised that there will be no more than 700 rules under Title II of the Open Internet Order. Regulators also promise that there will be no new federal taxes or fees placed on internet service. AT&T and the other companies involved in filing the stay claim that the ruling will lay "crushing" costs onto ISPs that would prevent them from upgrading networks.

If AT&T and others are granted the stay they are asking for, it will leave the FCC unable to regulate the internet. If the regulations stop throttling and help eliminate massive charges for going over arbitrary fair use numbers placed on some customers, net Neutrality is a good thing for consumers. There is no word on when the decision on if the stay is granted or not will be made.

SOURCE: Hot Hardware