Internet Neutrality is a reality... sort of

Well, it's been a long time coming... the FCC finally roused itself enough to put something resembling basic protections of the way the Internet has historically worked into the form of an enforceable rule (in theory, anyways). I have yet to see a link to the raw text of the rule, so I can't pick too many holes in it personally yet, but the gist I get from reading multiple stories is that landline-based consumer Internet providers can't block or artificially slow legal content from reaching their customers, and they have to be transparent with their customers on how they're managing network traffic on their networks. All fine and well, I suppose, but I don't think that will keep Comcast and the rest from improving their in-house networks to support their own services, while letting their connection to the 'net at large get clogged naturally by increased demand for services, or charging different amounts for different tiers of data usage or transfer speeds... time will tell on that, I suppose.

Wireless is less of a concern to me (what can I say, that's "last resort" territory for me getting data)... so, I guess it's no surprise that I'm not particularly perturbed that wireless 'net access doesn't get the same protections as wired. Providers still have to tell us how they're messing with the connection, but I gather they get to at least slow content from the world at large. Considering the physical limitations of open-air transmission, it makes sense enough to me.

Still, this game isn't over yet, I'm sure... intentionally or no, some provider (or group thereof) is going to get in a legal argument with the FCC, and it'll be at least a couple of years before this round of fun is settled. That is, supposing Congress doesn't find a way to cause grief first... oh well, at least we've finally gotten on to this stage of the play, rather than still be waiting for somebody to rein in the ISPs.