FCC shifts into reverse on net neutrality

To paraphrase President Reagan: "There they go again." While not conceding any such thing, the FCC has apparently shifted into reverse when it comes to net neutrality and is now going backwards rather than forwards on any sort of Internet regulation.

"As we've seen, the issues are complex and the details matter," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in the typical canned statement explaining why, after months of rancorous discussion, the agency still needs more input. "Even a proposal for enforceable rules can be flawed in its specifics and risk undermining the fundamental goal of preserving an open Internet."

The agency has been listening to all sides of the issue seemingly since the Obama Administration took office--and possibly before that. It recently has had executives from leading broadband companies in for chats; has had lots of time to look at a proposal from Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and just as much time to hear those who ravaged that proposal; and has seen a dramatic shift in the way wireless providers deliver and price their services.

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