Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski has proposed a new rule that will prevent Internet service providers from blocking certain applications flowing over their networks. Considered a new principle of net neutrality, the rule seeks to end the growing habit of ISPs to deny content that companies claim use up too much bandwidth and slow down Internet access. For instance, Apple has tried to keep Google’s voice service and a mapping service off the popular iPhone, and AT&T has worked to deny Internet voice service Skype access to its wireless 3G network.

The new rule follows up on four broad net neutrality principles the FCC adopted in 2005 that declared consumers have the right to use the content, applications, services and devices of their choice over the Internet, and that sought to promote competition among ISPs.
-Noel Brinkerhoff

F.C.C. Seeks to Protect Free Flow of Internet Data (by Saul Hansell, New York Times)
FCC To Introduce Net Neutrality Rule (Washington Post)
Report: FCC Will Formalize Net Neutrality Rule (by Grant Gross, Computer World)