So-called Net neutrality, a concept favored by statists, under which Internet providers would not be allowed to price their services according to how much various customers want them but would instead be subject to what amounts to price controls and business plan micromanagement by the national government, has been lambasted by the U.S. Justice Department, which has dominion over antitrust issues, in a comment to the Federal Communications Commission, which has jurisdiction over telecom regulation.
The Federal Communications Commission should be "highly skeptical" of imposing any kind of regulatory mechanisms to ensure so-called Net neutrality, the Justice Dept. has advised.
In comments filed Thursday with the FCC, which has been seeking opinion on whether it should regulate Net neutrality, Justice cautioned that regulation could impede investment needed to further develop the Internet.
Net neutrality is a principle applied to broadband networks guaranteeing freedom of restriction on the kinds of equipment attached and the modes of communication allowed.
"The FCC should be highly skeptical of calls to substitute special economic regulation of the Internet for free and open competition enforced by the antitrust laws," the Justice Dept. said. "Marketplace restrictions proposed by some proponents of Net neutrality could in fact prevent, rather than promote, optimal investment and innovation in the Internet, with significant negative effects for the economy and consumers."
This statement constitutes an immense victory for common sense and social freedom—provided that the FCC listens and accepts Justice’s wise counsel.