Impending FCC ruling on: Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet
GN Docket No. 14-28
FCC 14-61
Adopted: May 15, 2014 Released May, 15, 2014
Comment Date: July 15, 2014
Reply Comment Date: September 10, 2014
By the Commission: Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner Clyburn issuing separate statements; Commissioner Rosenworcel concurring and issuing a statement. Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting and issuing separate statements.
Background Summary:
Spectrum has become a vital and important natural resource because it is finite and has economic and public use, purpose, and benefit. Similar to other natural resources such as water, timber, minerals, and precious metals, the use of radio frequencies (spectrum) has become integrated into everyday life. However, unlike other natural resources, the spectrum frequencies used to wirelessly transmit digital television, radio, and voice and data communications (e.g. the internet) are not visible to the human eye without the use of technological instruments.