US body supports network neutrality
INTERNET service providers in the US should not be allowed to restrict access to rival services such as Google Voice and Skype, the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said yesterday.
In a move that will be lauded by “net neutrality” advocates, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said operators should not be able to discriminate against any internet applications or content and should make management practices for web traffic transparent, in the interests of a “free and open internet”.
“This means broadband providers cannot block or degrade lawful traffic over their networks, or pick winners by favouring some content or applications over others in the connection to subscribers’ homes,” he said.