There's been some buzz this week about the FCC's Internet Policy. We have a couple of problems in America right now: not enough broadband competition and not enough broadband. Without competition, the monopoly ISP doesn't have to build out (see Embarq in Hardee County, FL for an example). Without competition, prices are inflated. Without competition, the monopoly ISP can do whatever they want with the pipe - like restrict it or meter it or prioritize traffic. None of this helps America be competitive.

The BTOP and BIP money is just now starting to hit the actual road, so we will see some more broadband in 2011 and 2012. Hopefully.

Meanwhile, the FCC has to figure out how to regulate the Duopoly since Internet Access is vital to our economy and a global struggle for jobs.

No plan is perfect. And you can see below how the headlines are not taking it well. I think there should just be Truth in Advertising. No more "best effort" or "as is" or 3G crap. Give me a speed number. A minimum expected amount of bandwidth (to go with my bandwidth caps). This goes for cellular, wireless, fiber, copper, satellite. No more bullsh!t. The consumer should know what they are buying / paying for. Next, if you say "broadband", "internet" or "Internet Access", we get the whole unfiltered, uninterrupted, non-prioritized Interwebs. If you want to do traffic prioritization or filter stuff or whatever, call it something else.

Abandoning "Net Neutrality," FCC Chair Backs Two-Tiered Internet Fees

Did the FCC just bless a capped, two-tier Internet? [ARS]

This is after Julius wrote this on Huffington

Everyone is barking that the "FCC Opens the Door for Metered Broadband", but we already had caps and metered bandwidth, so I am lost on why they think the door was shut. I'm beginning to think it's all about headlines and fluff.

ConsumerReports seems to understand the FCC proposal better than most.