FCC Backs Opening Net Neutrality Rules for Debate

The Wall Street Journal reports that the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, is revising the commission's proposal to regulate broadband internet in response to enormous public outcry. The WSJ 

Speculation about what is in the net neutrality proposal drafted by Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will mostly come to an end on Thursday, when Mr. Wheeler is expected to release his 

Proponents of net neutrality, also known as the open internet, fear that allowing a fast lane on the web would hurt startups, nonprofits, activists, and anyone else who couldn't afford to pay the toll. Bigger tech companies such 

Demonstrator Margaret Flowers holds a sign in support of net neutrality outside the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Image: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

The opposite of net neutrality is a “pay to play” approach that allows, say, Comcast to charge extra for a “fast lane” that bypasses other Internet traffic. In other words: If Hulu, for example, pays Comcast to make sure “Nashville” gets to your house