WebProNews

Internet's Possible Future in the US Gets Ready to Be Decided

Update: The meeting ended and the rule making process will move forward after a unanimous vote. The rules say a provider of broadband Internet access service:

Google, Facebook and Twitter Address Net Neutrality

The Open Internet Coalition , which is a group of consumers, grassroots organizations, and businesses "promoting consumer choice and economic growth through an open Internet," has sent an open letter to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, supporting open Internet rules. The coalition itself includes a large list of well-known web companies and sites. Companies with founders and CEOs signing the letter include:

FCC's Net Neutrality Site Gets a Blog

Last month when FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski gave a speech on Net Neutrality, the FCC also launched OpenInternet.gov. The site is described as the following:

Apple May Have Some Explaining to Do Over Google Voice

There was a lot of hoopla made regarding Apple's banning of Google Voice from its App Store. Fingers were pointed, names were (probably) called. Today Google announced that the FCC has made its letter (pdf) available to the public. The letter reveals what Google claims to be the explanation it got from Apple about why it would not accept its Google Voice app (as well as Google Latitude).

Group Announces Support Of FCC Open Internet

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) said today that it is critical for U.S. policy makers to combine the important goals of Internet openness with the need to encourage investment in building a 21st century broadband system.

FCC Proposes Net Neutrality Protection Plan

This morning FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski gave a speech, detailing a proposal for keeping the Internet open for access to consumers, and protecting net neutrality. The proposal would prevent ISPs from discriminating against certain services, apps, or viewpoints on the web. It would also require those ISPs to be transparent about their network management practices.

Online Tool Rates Cell Phone Radiation

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together an online consumer guide that rates more than 1,000 cell phones based on the levels of radiation they emit. The EWG says the list is aimed at helping consumers make better decisions about which   cell phones to buy. The free online tool offers information on each phone's radiofrequency emissions, allowing users to compare different models.

FCC Creates Blog, Twitter Account

A little more than one month ago, we discussed how Google was asking regular people to give their thoughts about the National Broadband Plan.  Now, the FCC's doing something similar, with a fresh blog and Twitter account apparently intended to reach out to the public.

Consumer Groups Call For Information On Broadband Plans

A half dozen consumer and public interest groups have sent a letter to Federal Communications Chair Julius Genachowski offering a list of priorities for policy changes in broadband data collection. The groups are asking the FCC to require all providers to report census block-level broadband availability data. The FCC is currently collecting data that will be used to create a national broadband plan.

FCC Chair Proposes Fifth Toothless Internet Principle

Michael Copps, who is sitting in as Interim FCC chairman in Kevin Martin’s absence until the approval of White House nominee Julius Genachowski, suggested a fifth Internet non-discrimination principle be added to the regulatory agency’s Internet Policy Statement.