The FCC opened a formal notice of inquiry (NOI), a not-so-popular decision, looking to reestablish its authority over broadband rules and policies. The FCC has outlined three initial possibilities: retain broadband's current Title I classification as an information service; reclassify as a Title II (telecommunications) status; or possibly create a hybrid status for Broadband that takes a Title II flavor but softens certain aspects of that classification. Verizon's sentiments (summarized in the video below) echo a general and growing industry-wide distaste for what appears to be encroaching regulation.
At it's core, the debate stems between whether broadband is an information service--a mode of communication such as telephone--or if it is a broadcast medium warranting similar regulation as television and radio. Title I classification is a less strict classification which currently encompasses broadband, telephone, and some short-range radio communication devices. Title II enforces much more stringent requirements on the use of broadcast frequencies.
So, the question is: should the dissemination which broadband accommodates (website, email, streaming video, etc.) be treated as broadcast?
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