FCC Reviewing Small ISP Exemption to Net Neutrality Transparency Rule

The FCC seeks comment on a small-provider exemption to new net neutrality transparency duties, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau said in a public notice issued Monday in docket 14-28. CGB said the February net neutrality order adopted enhancements to its existing transparency rule requiring local broadband providers to disclose to consumers, edge providers and others information about the "commercial terms, performance characteristics and network practices" of their services. In response to the concerns of small broadband ISPs, the FCC temporarily exempted providers with 100,000 or fewer subscribers, but directed the bureau to seek further comment on the exemption and adopt an order on whether it would maintain the exemption and at what level by no later than Dec. 15, the PN said. CGB clarified that the current exemption applies to providers with 100,000 or fewer broadband connections. The bureau asked about the exemption's burdens and benefits, the proper threshold and whether a one-time extension of the exemption would be justified to help smooth the transition if the FCC doesn't make the exemption permanent. Comments are due 30 days after publication of the PN in the Federal Register, replies 30 days later.