This morning, the FCC's rules preventing internet service providers (ISPs) from prioritizing network traffic were struck down by an appeals court in Washington, D.C..
This change stifles competition by allowing those companies who own network infrastructure to allow or deny access across their networks, and to charge for access to their customers. In most U.S. markets, there are three or fewer choices for broadband internet. In reality, a staggering area of the country is covered by ISP duopolies or monopolies (http://www.broadbandmap.gov/number-of-providers). As ISPs are gatekeepers to the internet, striking down these rules rewards these big businesses, picks clear winners, and hurts innovation.
Internet services such as broadband should be regulated as telecommunication services.