Regulate Internet Like Public Utility

FCC Chairman: Regulate Internet Like Public 

Utility 

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• Vocabulary 

Direction: Read each word and let the student repeat it.
utility
[juːˈtɪləti] (noun)
– a service provided for the public, for example an electricity, water or gas supply
ex.Electricity is one of the most important public utilities.

prevent
[prɪˈvent] (verb)
– to stop somebody from doing something; to stop something from happening
ex.You have to prevent her from driving too fast! It is not safe!

stream
[striːm] (verb)
– to transfer (digital data, such as audio or video material) in a continuous stream especially for immediate processing or playback
ex.The Oscar Awards Ceremony will be streamed live on the Internet.

assure
[əˈʃʊr] (verb)
– to tell somebody that something is definitely true or is definitely going to happen, especially when they have doubts about it
ex.His boss has assured him that he will receive a pay rise next month.

discourage
[dɪsˈkɜːrɪdʒ] (verb)
– to try to prevent something or to prevent somebody from doing something, especially by making it difficult to do or by showing that you do not approve of it
ex.There is a massive campaign ongoing to discourage teenagers from starting to smoke.

Article Reading

Direction: Read each paragraph and let the student repeat it.

FCC Chairman: Regulate Internet Like Public Utility

The head of the U.S. Federal Communication Commission called Wednesday for the government to regulate the Internet like a public utility to keep it “fast, fair and open.”

In what is known as “net neutrality,” the proposal would prevent big Internet providers from charging content providers — such as wealthy companies that stream movies online — from being able to pay more to get their product to customers faster than smaller companies.

“My proposal assures the rights of Internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products, without asking anyone’s permission,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in Wired magazine.

Internet providers oppose the plan, saying government regulation would discourage investment.

Net neutrality had been in place before a federal court ruled against it.

FCC commissioners plan to vote on the Wheeler proposal later this month

Questions 

Direction: Ask the students the questions, and give the answers.

1Why does the head of the FCC want the Internet to be regulated like a public utility?

“To keep it “fast, fair and open.””

2What does the proposal mean?

“The proposal would prevent big Internet providers from charging content providers for being able to pay more to get their product to customers faster than smaller companies.”

3What does Tom Wheeler say about his proposal?

“My proposal assures the rights of Internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products, without asking anyone’s permission.””

4When will FCC commissioners vote on the proposal?

“Later this month.”

Discussion 

Direction: Discuss the topics.

1Do you think that the Internet should be regulated or completely open?

Follow-up question1: Is it expensive to have an Internet connection in your country?
Follow-up question2: Is it easy for you to access free wi-fi?
Follow-up question3: How important is it for you to have an Internet connection?

2In what way is the Internet changing our lives?

Follow-up question1: In what ways is the Internet influencing our education?
Follow-up question2: What do you mainly use the Internet for?
Follow-up question3: Do you prefer to watch the news on the TV or on the Internet?

3What do you know about cyber-warfare?

Follow-up question1: Do you think the Internet can be a dangerous weapon?
Follow-up question2: Do you think there is such a thing as a “good hacker”?
Follow-up question3: How safe do you feel using the Internet?

Quoted from

http://www.voanews.com/content/fcc-chairman-regulate-internet-like-public-utility/2629772.html