The FCC votes on Thursday on a plan for open internet access. (Photo courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/flickr)
By Eric Stock
UPDATED: The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to allow for an open internet, preventing Internet service providers from charging premiums for faster service.
WASHINGTON – Internet service providers wouldn't be able to intentionally slow some traffic as a way to boost revenue under new rules the Federal Communications Commission vote on Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin tells WJBC's Dan Swaney the internet should be regulated as a utility – to ensure access for all.
"The basic standard of service and access to the internet should be guaranteed," Durbin said. "Net neutrality should be the starting point to the conversation. There are plenty of ways to make money without charging admission fees to the internet."
Net neutrality involves Internet service providers treating all traffic on their networks the same way, and would prevent them from intentionally slowing some traffic as a way to boost revenue.
Critics are expected to challenge the rules in court. They say it's a case of over-regulation.
Homeland Security
The Senate is moving toward possibly resolving a dispute over funding the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats ended a filibuster and voted with Republicans to take up a bill funding DHS through September. The vote was 98-2.
The funding measure has been stuck in a partisan dispute over President Obama's executive actions on immigration. Durbin said those are separate issues.
"Many of us (Senate Democrats) said 'Wait a minute, why would we jeopardize the funding for a department that keeps us safe from terrorism so we can engage in this political debate?," Durbin said.
"Let's pass a clean appropriations bill and then debate the President's executive order."
DHS funding runs out at the end of the week without congressional action. The President is vowing to veto any funding bill which tries to roll back his executive actions on immigration.
PODCAST: Listen to Dan Swaney and Colleen Reynolds' interview with Durbin on WJBC.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Metro News Service contributed to this report.
