FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposes Title II for Broadband.

Net Neutrality, after many many years of pushing, is coming to America.

So lets delve into his Wired OpEd to see how this plays out.

Ok, last one.

"After more than a decade of debate and a record-setting proceeding that attracted nearly 4 million public comments, the time to settle the Net Neutrality question has arrived."

Thats right.  When you piss of the internet, shit goes crazy.  4 million is a lot.  Lets put this in perspective

Array of world leaders joins 3.7 million in France to defy terrorism

Obama announces immigration overhaul shielding 4 million from deportation

Cities with around 4 million people

Guadalajara, Mexico

Boston, MA

Nairobi Kenya

Monterey, Mexico

Zhengzhou, China

Phoenix, AZ

Berlin, Germany

Rome, Italy

Melborn, Australia

You get the idea.

"The internet wouldn’t have emerged as it did, for instance, if the FCC hadn’t mandated open access for network equipment in the late 1960s. Before then, AT&T prohibited anyone from attaching non-AT&T equipment to the network. The modems that enabled the internet were usable only because the FCC required the network to be open."

Now, this was before my time, but people I talk to who do remember this said it sucked.  'No, you can't use that phone that is much cheeper.  You have to pay for the overpriced one that we provide.'  Its one of the reasons Cable Companies don't (generally) require you to use their modem.

"I personally learned the importance of open networks the hard way. In the mid-1980s I was president of a startup, NABU: The Home Computer Network. My company was using new technology to deliver high-speed data to home computers over cable television lines. Across town Steve Case was starting what became AOL. NABU was delivering service at the then-blazing speed of 1.5 megabits per second—hundreds of times faster than Case’s company. “We used to worry about you a lot,” Case told me years later.

"But NABU went broke while AOL became very successful. Why that is highlights the fundamental problem with allowing networks to act as gatekeepers."

This personal experience story says a lot.  Wheeler's experience with NABU is similar to the problems Netflix had to deal with.  The difference is that NABU was a startup while Netflix was already and established brand.  (do they still do DVD Deliveries?)

"Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services."

See, this is really all we ever asked for in the first place.

"I propose to fully apply—for the first time ever—those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights of internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone’s permission."

And that would be a bonus.

So what's the catch?  That comes next."All of this can be accomplished while encouraging investment in broadband networks. To preserve incentives for broadband operators to invest in their networks, my proposal will modernize Title II, tailoring it for the 21st century, in order to provide returns necessary to construct competitive networks. For example, there will be no rate regulation, no tariffs, no last-mile unbundling."

This is where I start to get nervous.  First, No rate regulation means ISPs will have full control over what they can and will charge.  Since they are pretty much the only game in town, there isn't much we can do about that.  The last-mile bundling is another issue.  While I can see how it would be practical for Wireless carriers to require phone service with wireless data, what would stop Time Warner from forcing the "Triple-play" option on consumers who only want to get internet access?  This could be a real blow for cable-cutters.

 That said, it certainly is a start.  I would like to see his full proposal when it comes out.  But be ready.  Corporate Marionettes Congressional Republicans are already gearing up to bring there Ted Stevens A-game.

But we can, and must fight back.

Can I do just one more gif?  For the Internet?  Thanks.