Net Neutrality Regulations Rescinded...Now What?

The head of the FCC and his minions have just voted to repeal Internet regulatory measures designed to provide equal access to all Internet sites, regulate pricing to avoid gouging and provide low-cost broadband for seniors and others of low income as the world continues to do more of its business online. These were put in place by the Obama administration.

The repeal now allows Internet providers to charge as they choose, bundle site packages for customers as cable providers do, devote higher speeds at greater cost and snail speeds to those who cannot afford the increases. The repeal also permits Internet providers to restrict access to sites, making it possible that the free-roaming late night Internet forays we've all grown accustomed to will be a thing of the past.

Beyond the individual at home, groups of users will also likely see changes. These include libraries of all types, classrooms and other heavily Internet reliant institutions. Free Internet through your library may be restricted, and if you like ambling into the local Starbucks and setting up your laptop, the now free WIFI may not get you where you choose to go, and if you can get there, a fee may be attached. Paying bills online? That may become fee for service over and above the cost of broadband.

More to come in the weeks ahead, and this despite pushback attempts by consumers. Congress can overturn this but given the make up of our current legislative bodies, it isn't likely...

Blogging may have just become expensive, and corporations don't care.

We'll see in the next few weeks how things shake out.