Federal Communications Commission seeking to apply narrow rules to broadband providers

FCC seeking to apply narrow rules to broadband

WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Communications Commission is pledging to apply only narrow regulations to high-speed Internet access to ensure the agency has adequate authority to govern broadband providers without adopting heavy-handed rules.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said Thursday that the commission will seek to regulate broadband connections as a telecommunications service subject to “common carrier” obligations to treat all traffic equally. But it will refrain from imposing other burdensome obligations.

The move comes in response to a court ruling last month that cast doubt on the FCC’s authority over broadband. And it is intended to pave the way for the agency to adopt rules prohibiting phone and cable companies from discriminating against Internet traffic.