Open Internet

Celery

Golden Master
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While I was browsing learning more about the free HDTV I ran across the FCC site with a clickable icon saying Open Internet. I clicked on it and read with interest. It seems that they passed a law stating that the providers has to lift their restrictions on the modems and let 'em run at their full capacities.

That means something like 400+ Mbps. Wow, that would be nice.

It also happens that my cable sent me an email saying that I'm getting a free upgrade to my internet speed but did not say how fast. They also gave me an option to replace my modem for a faster modem free of charge.

That makes me wonder if the FCC law has something to do with it.

What about you guys? hear anything like that on your end?
 
I think you are misinterpreting what you read. There is nothing there that says modems must be allowed to run at their full speed.

I think the rule you are referring to is this:

No Throttling: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.

I don't think this means what you think it means. The way I read it is that they can't throttle your connection because you're downloading porn or watching Netflix or whatever other thing they don't like as long as what you're doing is lawful. It doesn't mean that they can't offer tiered services where they offer different bandwidth for different monthly costs.
 
It may be an exaggeration what I said but they are not allowed to throttle your speed for whatever reason including tiers/plans.

"No Paid Prioritization: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind—in other words, no "fast lanes." This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates."
 
It still allows teirs. What that's forbidding is say Netflix going to AT&T and saying "if we pay you X, you'll speed up our service to your customer and downgrade HULU so your users will choose us over them"
 
To support my own argument there's this:

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0317/DOC-332486A1.pdf
Myth: This proposal means the FCC will get to decide which service plan you can choose.
Fact: The Order doesn't limit consumers' choices or ban broadband data plans.
There is no approval requirement before retail plans, prices or services can be offered to
consumers. Broadband providers will continue to be able to offer new competitive services and
rates. This means that when a broadband provider wants to add a faster tier of service at a new
price, for instance, it is free to do so. Similarly, a broadband provider is free to change pricing
without approval. What providers can't do is engage in behavior that threatens the Open Internet.
(paragraphs 139, 144, 151-153)

SO basically if you pay for a 15/1 teir plan now that 15/1 teir plan is still legal with this
 
You're both right. I looked into it further and found more detailed info.

By the way I'm getting a free upgrade to my net plan including a new modem at no extra cost. Seems that the cable got a new net upgrade called MAXX.

I'll have to wait to see what my new speed will be. :)
 
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Your upgrade is not related to the new FCC rules but is good for you nonetheless. I'm jealous and wish I could get an upgrade, my connection tops out at 4Mbps down and costs my employer $138/month!
 
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