Germany: ′Free internet′ for Germany despite US repeal says Government

The US FCC on Thursday moved to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules,however,  the German Economics Ministry said Friday it would continue to support EU internet rules that forbid discriminatory access to the web.

"An open and free internet is indispensable for the successful development of a digital society that everyone wants to take part in," the ministry's spokeswoman, Beate Baron, told reporters. She declined to comment directly on the FCC's decision, but said that the German government had "taken note" of the US move.

Led by Trump appointee Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 in favor of scrapping 2015 rules, ending regulations that were meant to ensure all internet services are treated equally.

Pai said rolling back net neutrality was "restoring the light-touch framework that has governed the internet for most of its existence."

′Free internet′ for Germany despite US repeal | Business | DW | 15.12.2017

Internet: Google looks to SpaceX to beam Internet from outer space

Google is reportedly close to finalizing a ten-figure deal aimed at hooking up far-off areas with Internet access from outer space. What may sound like science fiction could become reality this decade.

The Internet giant is said to be close to investing as much as $1 billion (860 million euros) in the development of SpaceX satellites, which would beam inexpensive Internet to billions of people in remote corners of the world currently cut off from the World Wide Web. That's according to sources familiar with the plans, US business daily The Wall Street Journal and online publication The Information reported on Tuesday.

"By extending Web access, Google increases the number of people who can use its services," Wall Street Journal wrote.

"Internet connectivity significantly improves people's lives. Yet two thirds of the world have no access at all," Google told British daily The Guardian last summer. "It's why we're so focused on new technologies - from Project Loon to Titan Aerospace - that have the potential to bring hundreds of millions more people online in the coming years.”

Read more: Google looks to SpaceX to beam Internet from outer space | Business | DW.DE | 20.01.2015