The Mobile Internet Report Key Themes*

In the US, FCC Has Issued a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” to
Enforce Net Neutrality Based on Six Principles of Open Internet
The FCC recently announced it is changing its focus from providing broadband access to
all consumers to ensuring that all consumers who have broadband are able to consume
the content / applications / services they want without restriction on any network (wired or
wireless). It is important to note that service providers will still be able to “reasonably”
manage their networks.
The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for net neutrality on 10/22/09, based
on six principles:
Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice.
Consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject
to the needs of law enforcement.
Consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the
network.
Consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and
service providers, and content providers.
Broadband providers cannot discriminate on the basis of internet content or
applications.
Providers of internet access must be transparent about their network management
practices.
Note: The first four principles were originally outlined in an FCC policy statement given on 8/5/05, and the final two
in a statement by the FCC chairman on 9/21/09. Source: FCC, Brookings Institution, Morgan Stanley Research.
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