This is the VOA Special English Economics Report, from voaspecialenglish.com | http In August, Verizon and Google proposed a plan they say could keep the Internet open while supporting investment in high-speed Internet service.Verizon has the nation’s biggest wireless network while Google is the biggest Internet search engine. The proposal was a surprise because the two companies have been on opposite sides of the debate over net neutrality. That is the idea that all content on the Web should be treated equally. Internet service providers want to be able to charge more for heavy Internet traffic or users who want special services. The Federal Communications Commission regulates telephone, cable and satellite communications. But its power to regulate Internet service has been questioned in the courts. The new proposal calls for rules barring service providers from preventing users from sending and receiving legal information of any kind. Users also could not be prevented from linking any application, service or device they choose to the Web.And broadband Internet providers would be barred from discriminating against content and would have to be open about their policies. Supporters of net neutrality criticized the proposal for not including wireless providers. Wireless broadband is among the fastest growing parts of the Internet.Others oppose the creation of a “two-tiered” system on the Internet in which some content gets a fast lane and other content goes slowly. But …
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