Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is going to have a fight on his hands if he tries to pre-empt state laws that limit the growth of municipal broadband networks.
Matthew Berry, chief of staff to Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai, argued today that the FCC has no authority to invalidate state laws governing local broadband networks. In a speech in front of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Berry endorsed states' rights when it comes to either banning municipal broadband networks or preventing their growth. He also argued that the current commission, with its Democratic majority, should not do something that future Republican-led commissions might disagree with.
[Section 706 of The Telecommunications Act] http://www.psc.state.fl.us/publications/telecomm/trilogy/universa/706.aspx
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Ars Technica reports that nineteen Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have written a letter (PDF) to the new chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), asking him to "close the docket" (end) a proposal regarding set-top boxes.
Tom Wheeler, the previous chair, had made the proposal, which he had touted by saying:
If adopted, consumers would no longer have to pay monthly fees to rent a box. Instead, they would be able to access their pay-TV content via free apps on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes, tablets and smartphones. Consumers would also enjoy a better viewing experience thanks to integrated search and new innovation that will flow from enhanced competitive choice.
The proposal (PDF) advocates that
Consumers should be able to choose how they access the Multichannel Video Programming Distributor's (MVPD's) – cable, satellite or telco companies [sic] – video services to which they subscribe. For example, consumers should be able to have the choice of accessing programming through the MVPD-provided interface on a pay-TV set-top box or app, or through devices such as a tablet or smart TV using a competitive app or software. MVPDs and competitors should be able to differentiate themselves and compete based on the experience they offer users, including the quality of the user interface and additional features like suggested content, integration with home entertainment systems, caller ID and future innovations.
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(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday August 22 2014, @11:24PM
This smells funny, almost as bad as Calcutta does. It seems that states' rights only matter when they're pro big-money interests. Don't buy the spin about this being a States' rights issue, this is a big-money issue.
The name "Ajit Pai" is an indicator right there. He is of a higher caste than that filthy street-shitter Bobby Jindal, [nola.com] but one in the same in that he is one of the fifth-column of counterproductive and paid-off dirties looking to further reduce the quality of life in America. He is "getting his" at the expense of yours.
All of you motherfuckers who used to call me "racist" are going to regret it when these brown fifth-columnists accuse you of racism and throw you into a FEMA camp because you had the gall to assert your rights. Mark my words -- like skilled Judo practicioners, the ZOG machine knows how to turn your leverage back into itself.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 22 2014, @11:37PM
While it is a shame that we lost the "War of Yankee Aggression" it is even a bigger shame that we gave them such a thing to argue against State's Rights with. The loss to the power of State's Rights and the ever increasing powers of the Federal Government being of great harm to this country.
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday August 22 2014, @11:48PM
Mister NSA / Southern Poverty Law Center guy, you're not gonna make us madder by trolling the internet. I also hate those fucking carpetbaggers, but you have plenty of your own useful idiots and have proven that your words are bullshit. Man up or shut up. I'd be happy to lend a single compliment to the obviously-retarded South when they do something useful. which they haven't in ages and won't anytime soon because they're stupid. Just stupid in a different way than the Yankees and other carpetbaggers, but equally as easily controllable and counterproductive.
Let's bargain, mister undercover government official -- Let me finish school so I can apply for asylum in a civilized country. The weather sucks over there, but at least they're not retarded like 99% of the population of the North and South-American continents. 2 years is all I ask for.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 23 2014, @12:22AM
Let me finish school so I can apply for asylum in a civilized country
While in school *PLEASE* swing by and audit a few history classes. You might learn a little bit than the distorted view of history you learn while watching a movie off a torrent. Here is a hint the south is about states rights the north is all about big gov. Still is since that little war they had a few years ago. They are still talking past each other thinking its about slavery. Slavery was just the excuse. You do not get a bunch of hicks to go fight for what they considered an inferior race... You also dont get a bunch of 'rich folk' to do the same.
which they haven't in ages and won't anytime soon because they're stupid. Just stupid in a different way than the Yankees and other carpetbaggers, but equally as easily controllable and counterproductive.
An English comp class wouldn't hurt either.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 25 2014, @04:40PM
While in school *PLEASE* swing by and audit a few history classes. You might learn a little bit than the distorted view of history you learn while watching a movie off a torrent. Here is a hint the south is about states rights the north is all about big gov. Still is since that little war they had a few years ago. They are still talking past each other thinking its about slavery. Slavery was just the excuse.
Speaking of History, you might want to crack open a few books yourself. While the Civil War was about states' rights, it was also about slavery. It was one of the key causes for pretty much all the decision makers involved, North and South. I can understand why people in the South would want to rewrite that history now that slavery is considered an abomination. It would be nice if slavery didn't exist anywhere in the world today and it would be nice if the South didn't have it then. Lying to ourselves is probably not the best answer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 23 2014, @01:06AM
Actually I am more of a true anarchist and so your name calling sounds kind of like playground taunts to me. However the human race is unlikely to advance enough for that to be successful within my lifetime if ever. It is after all but Common Sense.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by JNCF on Saturday August 23 2014, @01:13AM
Normally I'm for all for states' rights because the alternative is federal rights. I want to see power dispersed because power corrupts and, well, you know the rest. When a question is asked concerning who should make the rules, I always side with the most local governing body possible. What's funny about this situation is that the federal government is trying to prevent state governments from interfering with the rights of municipal governments. Obviously the only reasonable position for those who oppose tyranny to take is supporting the rights of municipal governments, but relying on the threat of force from the federal government to enforce municipal autonomy of law undermines that autonomy completely. Clearly, the only reasonable solution is to give every municipality a nuke.
What, we're not allowed to have our own internet?
Okay then, try and take it from us.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 23 2014, @01:53AM
Just like SoylentNews.
Score +5, Informative.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 23 2014, @04:53AM
Agreed. This place has been going downhill pretty much since they changed their name from "altslashdot".
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 23 2014, @05:36AM
This place is getting better... we even have our own trolls now
bwhahahahahaha
If you don't care you would not post.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by kaszz on Saturday August 23 2014, @02:24AM
Of course a well bribed politicians has to do some work for every penny in "donations". Real freedom can be gotten by thwarting bullshit influence like this.
If some states are allowed to make full use of internet then they may get ahead of other states bogged down by whatever which is hindering their progress. Which would likely show that municipal internet may be beneficial. Can't have that can we..? ;)
Seems free market USA isn't there anymore. Have a look at South Korea for a different perspective.
(Score: 2) by SpockLogic on Saturday August 23 2014, @07:43PM
Likewise his chief of staff.
In other news Matthew Berry announced that he was looking forward to taking a highly paid position as VP for Media Obfuscation with a nationwide cable company in the near future.
Overreacting is one thing, sticking your head up your ass hoping the problem goes away is another - edIII
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Sunday August 24 2014, @12:23AM
Is there a source for that claim or otherwise crumbs that point in that direction?
(Score: 2) by velex on Saturday August 23 2014, @05:31PM
You never cease to amaze me. Supposedly for free markets! WTF!
You want a free market? Really? You keep using that term but I do not think it means what you think it means.
Of course it's all bullshit. Obviously we'd have legal weed by now if the Republicans really wanted a free market and were really interested in rational thinking. We'd decouple healthcare from employment (disclaimer: I have a good health insurance policy through my employer) and let health insurance compete in the free market with after-tax dollars. ISPs would have common carrier status. The state would own the infrastructure the same as it does with gas lines, water lines, and electrical.
There is a right way to be conservative—libertarianism—and a wrong way: authoritarianism. Why do Americans prefer authoritarianism? And I haven't even mentioned the "left" arm of the One Party, the Democrats….