Special Reports & Tweets - 20150220_SpecialReport-4_Alex
Aired: 2015-02-20
Duration: 03:07


=== FCC's Vague Net Neutrality Rule (03:07) ===

[00:00:00]  Thanks for watching!
[00:00:09]  We're talking!
[00:00:12]  So just what is Obama's proposed net neutrality plan?
[00:00:16]  Well, that's the problem.
[00:00:17]  Nobody quite knows for sure.
[00:00:19]  The FCC has made it clear that they will not release the 332-page plan to regulate the Internet until after the agency votes on it.
[00:00:30]  Other times we've heard this, we've got to pass it to find out what's in it.
[00:00:33]  It hasn't really fared well for the American consumer.
[00:00:36]  Now, one of the FCC commissioners, Ajit Pai, has gone rogue.
[00:00:40]  He's been publishing a few articles in recent weeks.
[00:00:43]  These are press releases that other FCC leadership has moved to block.
[00:00:47]  And he's basically warning citizens and lawmakers that this net neutrality is a bad deal.
[00:00:53]  Pai writes, The most problematic may be the new Internet Conduct Rule.
[00:01:02]  It's a vague rule that gives the FCC almost unfettered discretion to micromanage virtually every aspect of the Internet, including the choices that consumers have for accessing it.
[00:01:14]  This includes restricting service plan options, including unlimited online streaming, as well as low-price, prepaid voice plans, which are used by millions of low-income households.
[00:01:26]  When consumers have more choices, they can find lower prices.
[00:01:31]  But the FCC wants to do away with anything but one-size-fits-all plans.
[00:01:36]  Think of it like how all of your health insurance plans now include prenatal care, even if you're a 75-year-old retiree.
[00:01:44]  Allowing for new business models is critical to promote competition.
[00:01:49]  How can we expect entrepreneurs to stand out from their competition if they aren't able to compete with a standardized plan?
[00:01:57]  Clearly, the President's plan is only going to benefit the existing Internet giants.
[00:02:02]  But the issue is, the Internet isn't broke.
[00:02:05]  We don't need the president to fix it.
[00:02:07]  Pai says the Internet is an unparalleled success story.
[00:02:11]  It is a free, open and thriving platform for civic and political engagement,
[00:02:16]  economic growth, educational opportunity, entertainment and much more.
[00:02:21]  It has made the United States the epicenter of innovation.
[00:02:25]  Plus, current law already protects consumers and competition online,
[00:02:29]  and the president's plan would strip away those existing protections.
[00:02:34]  The Federal Trade Commission has the authority to quickly protect consumers and aggressively police market power and fraud in the Internet economy.
[00:02:43]  Regulating the Internet like a public utility would strip the FTC of these powers.
[00:02:49]  Why would we want to do that when the Internet has flourished under the current regulatory model?
[00:02:54]  Doesn't make sense.
[00:02:56]  79% of Americans want to see the plan before the vote on February 26th.
[00:03:01]  Isn't it about time that Obama made good on his campaign promise to be the most transparent administration ever?