The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is gearing up for a crucial vote on April 25 to potentially reinstate federal net neutrality protections, a move that could have far-reaching implications for internet users across the country.
FCC Set to Vote on Reinstating Net Neutrality Protections
This, In Turn, Widely Implements Network Slicing Which Businesses See as an Opportunity
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on April 25 to reinstate federal net neutrality protections that were abandoned by the Trump administration in 2017. The FCC April 2024 Open Commission Meeting will also decide whether it would reestablish the Commission’s authority over broadband internet.
Central in the proposal are the classifications of Broadband Internet Access Service and mobile Broadband Internet Access service. The FCC's proposal aims to reclassify these services to "safeguard consumers and ensure a fair and open internet." Since the commission relinquished authority over broadband in 2017, there has been a lack of federal oversight over this critical service, according to the FCC.
As such, Broadband Internet Access Service would be classified as a Telecommunications Service, while Mobile Broadband Internet access service as a Commercial Mobile Service. Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick raised concerns about the proposal, suggesting that it could pave the way for the creation of "5G fast lanes," where favored apps receive better performance, potentially at the expense of others.
This would then, as the professor warned in a blog post published last week, lead mobile Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and businesses to charge consumers more. Major carriers in the US are already exploring ways to implement these fast lanes using 5G technology. Through a technique called Network Slicing, they can allocate part of their radio spectrum to prioritize specific types of content, such as video conferencing or online gaming.
Naturally, with a government-backed nationwide implementation of Network Slicing, ISPs and carriers see this as an opportunity to introduce new monetization schemes and capitalize on the demand for enhanced services. They argue that Network Slicing can significantly improve speeds and quality of service.
"Network slicing can increase the amount of usable spectrum and the intensity with which it is used, not only enabling new use cases for mobile broadband networks but also significantly increasing the speeds and quality of service for best-efforts mobile broadband internet access services," telecommunications holding company AT&T said in a supporting statement to the FCC, "to the benefit of all consumers."
- (c) Ericsson
As claimed by multinational networking and telecommunications company, Ericsson, in its 'Mobile cloud gaming report,' there is an opportunity with Network Slicing especially considering the trends in mobile cloud gaming. With the growing popularity of cloud gaming, there is a need for reliable and high-quality connections, which network slicing can provide, the company said. This opens up opportunities for premium gaming services without the need for expensive equipment like gaming PCs or consoles.
"With slicing, we see opportunities to develop premium, or bundled, mobile cloud gaming services using different business models and monetization models," Ericsson stated in its report. "Findings from a study reveal that cloud gamers can pay up to $10.99 more for a guaranteed gaming experience on top of their 5G monthly subscription."
The company further noted, " The global slicing-enabled revenue for gaming is expected to grow from $8B in 2025 to $19B in 2030, with a CAGR [an annual growth rate] of 19%."
Source:
Net Neutrality Rules fact sheet
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Ericsson Mobile cloud gaming report
AT&T's statement
HARMFUL 5G FAST LANES ARE COMING. THE FCC NEEDS TO STOP THEM By Barbara van Schewick
Banks prolly if you exceed your data plan they have a premium bs one you can pay for. Reality is you don't need that mu ch but they prolly will manipulate traffic it will make games lag bad
i didnt understand this like so are they just gonna charge us more for diferent data plans?