FCC finally releases its Net Neutrality rules

so really...what are the cliff's notes on this thing?

I'm going to need someone to dumb it down. And then dumb it down some more before I start to understand.

The length of the article isn't the problem.

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such as Netflix, fees to access Internet "fast lanes" to reach customers more quickly when networks are congested.

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This is where I have problems. Not all data is the same and the way we consume and use the data is different.

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This is where I have problems. Not all data is the same and the way we consume and use the data is different.

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You just need to realize that there is no such thing as a "fast lane". There is only the illusion of a fast lane achieved by slowing every other site. Why should one site be allowed to pay to have the service of other sites degraded?

From reddit:

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Here is the TL:DR

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§ 8.5 No blocking. A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management.

1. Section 8.7 is amended to read as follows:
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§ 8.7 No throttling.

A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of Internet content, application, or service, or use of a non-harmful device, subject to reasonable network management.

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Section 8.9 is redesignated section 8.19.

2.

New section 8.9 is added to read as follows:

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§ 8.9 No paid prioritization.

(a) A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not engage in paid prioritization.

(b) “Paid prioritization” refers to the management of a broadband provider’s network to directly or indirectly favor some traffic over other traffic, including through use of techniques such as traffic shaping, prioritization, resource reservation, or other forms of preferential traffic management, either (a) in exchange for consideration (monetary or otherwise) from a third party, or (b) to benefit an affiliated entity. ederal Communications Commission FCC 15-24 285

(c) The Commission may waive the ban on paid prioritization only if the petitioner demonstrates that the practice would provide some significant public interest benefit and would not harm the open nature of the Internet.

1. New section 8.11 is added to read as follows:
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§ 8.11 No unreasonable interference or unreasonable disadvantage standard for Internet conduct.

Any person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not unreasonably interfere with or unreasonably disadvantage (i) end users’ ability to select, access, and use broadband Internet access service or the lawful Internet content, applications, services, or devices of their choice, or (ii) edge providers’ ability to make lawful content, applications, services, or devices available to end users. Reasonable network management shall not be considered a violation of this rule.

1. Section 8.13 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(4), revising paragraphs (b), (b)(1) and (b)(2), removing paragraph (b)(3), redesignating paragraphs (c) and (d) as paragraphs (d) and (e), and adding new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
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§ 8.11 Continues, but for the sake of a TLD:DR, I will stop there. § 8.12 and on is your rights to file a complaint, procedures for complaints, confidentiality clause.

If you get the time, I would encourage you to read this document, as the FCC did a great job with it.

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A little side note I found funny and a nice little jab at specifically mentioning Verizon, on page 293 a footnote was added:

10 The Verizon court specifically touted the virtuous cycle as a worthy goal and within our authority. Verizon, 740 F.3d at 644 (“The Commission’s finding that Internet openness fosters the edge-provider innovation that drives this ‘virtuous cycle’ was likewise reasonable and grounded in substantial evidence.”).

Also on page 294, the FCC details a little paragraph of how it is using it's rules:

1. The legal basis for the Open Internet rules we adopt today relies on multiple sources of legal authority, including section 706, Title II, and Title III of the Communications Act. We conclude that the best approach to achieving our open Internet goals is to rely on several, independent, yet complementary sources of legal authority. Our authority under Section 706 is not mutually exclusive with our authority under Titles II and III of the Act. Rather, we read our statute to provide independent sources of authority that work in concert toward common ends. Under section 706, the Commission has the authority to take certain regulatory steps to encourage and accelerate the deployment of broadband to all Americans. Under Title II, the Commission has authority to ensure that common carriers do not engage in unjust and unreasonable practices or preferences. And under Title III, the Commission has authority to protect the public interest through spectrum licensing. Each of these sources of authority provides an alternative ground to independently support our open Internet rules.

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