The FCC Voted - Comcast Forced to Stop Blocking Traffic

On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted, as many have hoped and expected in favour of the complaint filed against Comcast, the leading cable company in the US.

According to Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the commission, all Internet providers and communication companies are now officially warned as this case is an example of what will happen if they don't give their customers the freedom to use their networks after their own needs. Martin was also firm when saying that the Internet must remain open.

The 3-2 vote by the FCC protects consumers from having their Internet traffic and connection blocked.

Earlier this year, after having received accusations of traffic interference, Comcast talked about its intention to restructure its Internet traffic management, thus putting into action a plan to handle all data equally and objectively. After the company’s announcement, Kevin J. Martin seemed rather skeptical when referring to Comcast’s ability to change its practices.

Comcast’s unfair management of traffic got the attention of the FCC in November due to a complaint against the company which was accused of discriminatory practice - interfering with p2p Internet traffic.

As announced, the FCC’s vote implies not fine to be paid by Comcast but (what's really important), it imposes Comcast a practice that excludes blocking P2P traffic over its network.