The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission plans to announce Wednesday a controversial proposal that would prohibit Internet providers from favoring or discriminating against any traffic that goes over their networks.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski would do so, however, without resorting to a more drastic step of changing the way the FCC regulates broadband providers that would have more clearly asserted the government’s authority over Internet access.
In a statement provided to reporters in advance of Wednesday’s announcement, Genachowski said he thinks he has “a sound legal basis” to pursue so-called net-neutrality rules that would prevent companies such as Verizon, Comcast and AT&T from blocking or serving up some Web sites faster and at better quality than others.
Full story: FCC chair announces net neutrality push without re-asserting role over broadband internet