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Sep. 22, 2009

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski wants to provide access to an open and robust Internet through the implementation of a national broadband plan.

In a statement, Genachowski noted that the means by which a mobile user connects to the Internet is irrelevant, indicating that decision going forward will apply to wireless broadband carriers as well as fixed broadband providers.

Genachowski added that wireless users should be free to choose what services and applications they use, ensuring an "Open Web" for everybody.

"Network operators cannot prevent users from accessing the lawful Internet content, applications and services of their choice, nor can they prohibit users from attaching non-harmful devices to the network," added Genachowski.

"Broadband service providers also cannot discriminate against particular Internet content or their applications. This means they cannot block or degrade lawful Web traffic over their networks, or pick winners by favoring some content or applications over others in the connection to subscribers' homes," he said.

Siding with Internet giants like Google and Amazon that have long been supporters of net neutrality rules, the FCC faces some challenges as it moves to extend its agenda to wireless providers.

AT&T and Verizon Wireless have long been against regulation when it comes to how they manage traffic on their own networks, saying government intervention is unnecessary.

Genachowski added that he understands the need for ISPs to manage their network during times of high traffic, but insisted that this cannot be done at the expense of unfair competition or by limiting the functionality of those applications the wireless carrier perceives as "data-heavy applications."

Genachowski's message is particularly relevant to the wireless industry, where mobile service carriers are rushing to deploy 4G networks and LTE to deal with the proliferation of smartphones and corresponding demand for faster data.

In the last few months, AT&T has struggled to meet the iPhone's demand for bandwidth, relegating some applications, such as VoIP clients like Skype, to only run on Wi-Fi.

Some even say that AT&T's recent issues with a slower 3G network could impede the renewal of its exclusive contract with Apple in continuing to sell the iPhone exclusively to its own customers.

Having learned from AT&T's mistakes, Verizon Wireless says it already has started to deploy its own 4G network in at least twelve U.S. markets, and the wireless provider says it is getting ready to better serve the iPhone market, should Apple decide to switch providers.

It will be interesting to see who wins Apple's business in 2010.

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Source: The Federal Communications Commission.