John McCain leads charge against Net neutrality

U.S. Sen. John McCain, r-Ariz, is leading a charge against “Net neutrality” favored by the Obama administration.

The issue comes to down to picking who oversees the flow and speed of information online -- the current market-based system, or a new one that includes government rules and regulations. McCain likes the former, while President Barack Obama wants to see some government rules on Internet access.

Net neutrality would place government rules and regulations on Internet and private providers so they would not be able to restrict, favor or disfavor online information, sites and sources based on their origination points. Net neutrality fans say it will keep a level playing field and put safeguarding rules on private providers.

Critics, including those in the Internet and telecom sectors, prefer to have the marketplace govern the Internet.

McCain has introduced legislation that would restrict Net neutrality efforts and has penned a columns this week citing worries about the government regulation, taxing and restricting the Internet. The Arizona senator also is concerned about Internet taxes being born from government rules.

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to move forward with setting Net neutrality rules. McCain wants to block that.

“This government takeover of the Internet will stifle innovation, in turn slowing our economic turnaround and further depressing an already anemic job market,” McCain said in a prepared statement. “Outside of health care, the technology industry is the nation’s fastest-growing job market. Innovation and job growth in this sector of our economy is the key to America’s future prosperity.”

Net neutrality advocates worry about private industry picking winners and losers in how information is transmitted online.

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In a blow to McPain's efforts:

The FCC voted unanimously Thursday to support an open Internet rule that would prevent telecom network operators from barring or blocking content based on the revenue it generates. The rule now goes to the public for comment until Jan. 14. A final rule is not expected until the spring of next year. The 5 - 0 vote came despite lobbying against the net neutrality rule by telecommunications service providers.