No FCC Rulemaking Authority on Latest Net Neutrality Bill

Apparently, the latest version of the House network neutrality bill will take away the Federal Communications Commission's rulemaking authority on the issue. Without rulemaking authority on the possible legislation, the commission's ability to enforce compliance is substantially weakened. The bill would also prohibit the commission from reclassifying broadband under title II of the Communications Act, a more stringent regulatory regime, until the measure sunsets in two years. Other provisions of the proposal include a non-discrimination principle for wired networks and for wireless devices, no blocking of websites and competing voice applications. Under that scenario, wireless providers could block peer-to-peer activity and other applications.

No FCC rulemaking authority on the bill "is a huge victory for the carriers," the source said. "I'm stunned the Waxman team is going along with it...If I had to measure this, it's probably slightly worse than the Verizon-Google deal."