cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/8326497
The FCC can now punish telecom providers for charging customers more for less::The Federal Communications Commission has passed new digital discrimination rules that hold telecom providers accountable for not providing equal internet access.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Under the new rules, the FCC can fine telecom companies for not providing equal connectivity to different communities “without adequate justification,” such as financial or technical challenges of building out service in a particular area.
Last year, a joint report from The Markup and the Associated Press found that AT&T, Verizon, and other internet service providers offer different speeds depending on the neighborhood in cities throughout the US.
The report revealed neighborhoods with lower incomes and fewer white people get stuck with slower internet while still having to pay the same price as those with faster speeds.
At the time, USTelecom, an organization that represents major telecom providers, blamed the higher price on having to maintain older equipment in certain communities.
“There is mounting evidence that low-income families and people of color are more likely to live in monopoly service areas that have just one high-speed internet provider,” Joshua Stager, the policy director of the nonpartisan organization Free Press, says in a statement.
It will take things like broadband deployment, network upgrades, and maintenance across communities into account when evaluating providers for potential rule violations, giving it the authority to hopefully finally address the disparities in internet access throughout the US.
The original article contains 480 words, the summary contains 201 words. Saved 58%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
We need flexible system that monitor every customer’s income from database for this since it’s more easy to implement right now thanks to AI.
Even though from privacy perspective is not good to know, but since data can manipulate into another form, we can still find another solution on how to deliver this perfectly well balance in society we live in.
Or, hear me out, we regulate them like the utility they are and don’t give them more friggin’ information on our lives? It’s unfortunate but you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. It’s time to treat them as vital as access to water or electricity. If they want still be in the game and make some money, they need to fall in line. I am tired of my life being screwed around by companies that have become cornerstones of 21st century life rent-seeking me into oblivion.
@kanzalibrary Can you share the report ?