Net Neutrality Has Some Unlikely Backers

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is expected to reveal his proposal to regulate the internet as a public utility on Thursday before it is put to a vote on February 26.

The decision about how to handle regulation of the internet is at the center of a hot debate about net neutrality, something several big name companies have a very valuable stake in.

Internet Regulation

Earlier this year, President Obama voiced his support for a proposal from the FCC that would classify the internet as a public utility under Title II regulations, and Wheeler himself commented at the Consumer Electronics Show that treating the internet as a public utility was an important step as the internet continues expanding.

At the heart of the issue, Wheeler said, is net neutrality and preventing service providers from favoring some content over others.

Verizon, Comcast Threaten Legal Action

Big name cable companies like Verizon Inc. VZ and Comcast Corp CMCSA have threatened to sue if the FCC tries lump internet service in with public utilities like electricity and water.

The companies say government regulation will hinder their ability to effectively do business and worry about future power struggles.

While the current administration says they wouldn’t use the regulations to set service prices, future leaders could do so. More importantly, service providers say strict government regulations will inhibit their ability to enhance service offerings.

Verizon has said the implementation of its fiber-optic network would never have been possible had the firm been forced to comply with the regulations imposed on public utility companies.

Related Link: Net Neutrality Vote Slated For February

Some Service Companies Take Opposite Stance

Shockingly, some service providers are on board with being treated as a public utility. Earlier this month, Sprint Corp S said it wouldn’t fight Title II regulation as long as the rules allow for product differentiation and keep network management in the companies’ hands.

Last week, Google Inc. GOOG GOOGL followed suit, saying that it would continue its investment in Google Fiber, a high-speed internet service, despite the possibility of regulation changes.

The company says that the FCC rules won’t impede the roll out of Google Fiber; and that Google is on board as long as the regulations do not affect new deployment.