By: CE Critic

The FCC's latest shenanigans with net neutrality are nothing short of a gut punch. Under the guise of "reinstating" protections, the proposed rules from Chairwoman Rosenworcel are a trojan horse. While they give the illusion of preventing blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, they leave the door wide open for the very abuses that net neutrality sought to eliminate.

Make no mistake, harmful 5G fast lanes are on the horizon, and ISPs are already salivating at the possibilities. Don't believe me? Just ask Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick, one of the foremost experts on net neutrality. She's sounding the alarm, and we need to listen.

The Sneaky Trick: "Positive Discrimination"

The key to understanding the FCC's deceptive game is a sneaky bit of language they call "positive discrimination." This means ISPs can boost speeds for certain apps without charging the app providers directly. Sound good? Don't be fooled – this is a backdoor way to create tiered internet access.

Think about it: carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon already are drooling over plans to exploit this loophole. They're testing "5G fast lanes" designed for video conferencing, online gaming, and streaming – the very things many of us rely on. It won't take long for them to monetize this power.

How Network Slicing Accelerates the Scheme

At the heart of this is a technical feature of 5G called "network slicing." Picture a highway – instead of everyone being in the same lanes together, slicing lets ISPs create dedicated express routes for their favored apps, while relegating the rest of us to the overcrowded regular lanes.

History Repeating Itself: The Net Neutrality Rollercoaster

Remember back in 2015, when we finally had decent net neutrality rules? Then Trump got in office, gutted them, and here we are again, fighting the same damn battle.

The FCC claims they don't need to ban this "positive discrimination" in the rules because it would technically fall under "throttling." That's corporate lawyer doublespeak for "we'll let them do it and deal with the fallout later."

Gaming as Ground Zero

Ericsson, one of the big tech firms building this crap, already sees dollar signs in gamers' eyes. In their report, they practically brag that gamers might pay over ten bucks on top of their bills for a "guaranteed gaming experience."

Professor van Schewick is entirely right – this starts with mobile services, where those fast lanes tempt people desperate for better connectivity. But soon enough, your home ISP will follow suit, carving up your connection and charging a premium for any service they please to put in the express lane.

Our Throttled Future

The FCC swears they'll handle abuses "case-by-case." Translation: small businesses, independent developers, and anyone who won't pay extortion fees for the fast lane will get crushed. Meanwhile, lawsuits and complaints against behemoths like AT&T will get bogged down in red tape.

Don't be misled by the FCC's sleight of hand. This isn't about protecting consumers – it's empowering a few corporations to dictate how we use the internet. It's about turning a fundamental utility into a system of haves and have-nots.

It's Time to Make Noise

The FCC's vote is on April 25th. We have a narrow window to stop this.

• Read van Schewick's full analysis here.
• Support groups like the EFF, Public Knowledge, or the ACLU, who are fighting the uphill battle against giant ISPs.
• Contact your representatives and demand they take a stand for a free and open internet.

Every voice is needed – neutrality isn't a spectator sport!