FCC's guiding light
Currently, the FCC works with a series of "guiding principles" rather than hard and fast rules for keeping the Internet an open place, for instance, the FCC does its best to ensure network operators can't prevent users from accessing Internet content, apps or services of their choice or stop users from adding their devices to the network.
As well as turning the above guidelines into law, Genachowski says he also wants to add another couple of rules to the FCC net neutrality handbook, preventing Internet service providers from discriminating against bits and bobs of Internet content or apps and making sure ISPs remain transparent about the network management practices they use.
But AT&T and co say having rules is draconian and highly unnecessary, claiming that the guidelines work well enough and that strict regulations would interfere with the way firms managed their networks, despite Genachowski's re-iteration that the FCC is not trying to throw a wet dishcloth over development, or suffocate new business models.
The web CEOs, with this latest letter, have shown their support for Genachowski and the ideal that Internet users should be able, by law, to visit any web site and use any online service they may choose, without being blocked and effectively censored by their service providers.
