Net neutrality has been a controversial issue.  Despite this, Federal Communications Commission or FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has proposed to make the rules in net neutrality official, along with a couple of new rules that aim to make sure that online consumers' rights are protected when they search for information through the Internet.

Genachowski's proposed net neutrality regulations

Currently, there are no official regulations that protect the open Internet.  Genachowski wants to change all this by proposing an official set of rules based on the four basic principles that the FCC uses as a guide.   These four principles basically state that network operators are not allowed to prohibit users from gaining access to legal online applications, content, and services that they choose to access.  Network operators are also not allowed to prevent users from attaching safe and legal devices to the actual network.  Aside from these already existing guiding principles, Genachowski has proposed to add two more official regulations.  The first proposed official regulation aims to stop ISPs or Internet Service Providers from discriminating against certain online applications and content without interfering with reasonable and logical network management.  The second proposed official regulation to preserve the neutrality of the Internet aims to make sure that Internet access providers are doing honest network management practices.

Genachowski's supporters and critics

Due to Genachowski's efforts in maintaining net neutrality, he has earned several supporters, including Internet giants.  Among Genachowski's supporters are YouTube founder Steve Chen, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter CEO Evan Williams, Skype CEO Josh Silverman, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Craiglist founder Craig Newmark, and IAC CEO Barry Diller.  According to a letter sent by these Internet giants to FCC chairman Genachowski, his efforts in regulating neutrality rules will inspire budding online entrepreneurs and existing companies to become more innovative because they won't have to fear that their applications and products might be blocked by bigger competitors.  Aside from these Internet giants, two democratic FCC commissioners also support Genachowski's proposal.

Critics of Genachowski and his proposed official regulations include a number of Republican congressional leaders.  According to critics, there is no need to come up with an official set of net neutrality rules.  Critics also think that if official regulations are implemented, it would become difficult for net-based companies to manage their networks.

Other issues regarding net neutrality

Aside from the fact that the details for these regulations will still have to be mapped out, Genachowski also has to make sure that these rules won't affect how wireless networks will function.  According to Steve Largent, CTIA President and CEO, FCC should keep in mind the dangers of the possible consequences a new set of regulations might have on wireless Internet services in general.