OTI Applauds the FCC’s Final Text of the Net Neutrality Order

In response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) release of thenet neutrality order's final text, the Open Technology Institute (OTI), a New America program fostering equitable access to digital technology and its benefits, issued the following statement from Michael Calabrese, Director of the Wireless Future Project at OTI.

Michael Calabrese:The FCC's Order released today restores a strong version of net neutrality that will promote a virtuous cycle of online innovation, competition, and consumer choice.

Importantly, the Order clarifies that the bright line rule against throttling also prohibits 'fast lanes' and other favorable treatment for particular applications or content even when the edge provider isn't required to pay for it. As mobile carriers develop what they call "network slicing," we will be on the lookout for offers that violate this fundamental principle of network neutrality.

For example, mobile carriers will not be able to use network slicing to offer broadband customers a guaranteed quality of service for video conferencing from some companies but not others. We applaud the FCC for exempting innovative enterprise services while prohibiting retail offerings that favor some applications or content over others online.

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