New net neutrality rules draw ire of U.S. senators

New net neutrality rules draw ire of U.S. senators

The legislators are the latest group to criticize FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for new rules that would create a 'fast-lane' Internet for firms willing to pay for it.

Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler has already heard from at least two fellow commissioners questioning proposed rules that would allow Internet service providers to sell faster download speeds to some firms.

Now, 10 United States Senators have joined forces in asking him to drop the plan – or revise it to ensure net neutrality.

The legislators who signed an open letter to Wheeler are all Democrats and include Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, from Oregon; Chuck Shumer and Kristen Gillebrand, from New York; Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, from Massachusetts; Bernie Sanders, from Vermont; Al Franken, from Minnesota; Cory Booker, from New Jersey; Richard Blumenthal, from Connecticut, and Barbara Boxer of California.

The Senators are the latest voices to raise objections to a new draft of the rules that appear headed for a vote by the five-member FCC panel on Thursday.

Advocacy organization MoveOn.org members have previously sent 10,000 letters to the FCC and even major Internet companies, including Amazon and Netflix, have also asked the FCC to ditch the new rules.

During a keynote speech at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association earlier this week, Wheeler denied that the new rules would “create a two-tier system,” according to Vator.tv. “We will not allow some companies to force Internet users into a slow lane so that others with special privileges can have superior service,” Wheeler said.

In their letter, the U.S. senators stated the FCC should not pass rules that would discriminate against most Internet users by allowing a special group faster access.

“… [Y]our current proposal suggest it may have unintended, deleterious effects,” the letter stated. “Sanctioning paid prioritization would allow discrimination and irrevocably change the Internet as we know it.”

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