FCC plan for open internet 'perfect,' Lessig says; industry critical

Updated

The U.S. on Monday announced a bold plan designed to keep the internet open and competitive and prevent web-service providers from unfairly discriminating against content that competes with their offerings. "It was perfect. I'm thrilled," Lawrence Lessig, the prominent Stanford law professor and pro-net neutrality advocate, told DailyFinance after the plan was unveiled. "The commission is clearly focused on creating a policy that supports innovation on the internet."

The proposed rules represent a major victory for consumer groups and internet companies, as well as the fulfillment of a key campaign promise by President Obama. Not surprisingly, telecom and cable giants like Verizon, AT&T and Comcast -- the providers who control the very "pipes" that internet traffic travels through -- did not share Lessig's enthusiasm.

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