The Fallacy of Net Neutrality: Thomas Hazlett on the FCC & Consumer Protection

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The FCC's recent decision to tolerate "internet fast lanes" has sparked outrage among many net neutrality advocates. However, as Reason's Peter Suderman wrote, the announcement amounts to nothing more than a vague proclamation from the FCC that it will be meddling in the business affairs of ISPs as it sees fit.

Watch Reason TV's interview with Thomas Hazlett, Reason contributor and George Mason economics professor, who unpacks the fallacy of a government regulatory agency trying to shape an industry of which it "has no idea what the optimal business model is."

Produced by Nick Gillespie and Josh Swain: "The Fallacy of Net Neutrality: Thomas Hazlett on the FCC & Consumer Protection"

Originally published on November 8, 2012. Original text is below:

"I'm very confident a hundred years from now we won't have an FCC," says Thomas Hazlett, Reason contributor and George Mason economics professor.

Internet service providers are coming under scrutiny from both the FCC and net neutrality supporters who want to ensure unrestricted consumer access to the Web. However, Hazlett points out that the fear over ISPs limiting Web content is unfounded and government "has no idea what the optimal business model is" to effectively regulate.

Hazlett sat down with Reason TV's Nick Gillespie to discuss net neutrality, the Internet, and and his Encounters Broadside book "The Fallacy of Net Neutrality."

Camera by Meredith Bragg and Josh Swain. Edited by Swain. 

More from Reason on net neutrality and the FCC.

About 6 minutes.

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