Several telecom and cable companies have filed a stay request with the FCC, trying to prevent the agency from reclassifying them as public utilities. The companies did not request that the FCC rescind its rules regarding the industry developing a two tier internet with some firms paying extra for their content to be streamed in a "fast lane" of connectivity. Their reason for the stay: compliance would impose “crushing” costs on the providers, and would thus keep them from investing in things like upgrades to provide faster Net service. As with the telephone voice system, public utility classification prevents Internet providers from giving preferential speeds or other special considerations to content companies that pay extra. As common carriers, Net providers would have to treat every content source the same. The carriers’ strategy appears to be to prevent a general implementation of common carrier rules, while allowing a ban on preferential...(Read Full Post)