I agree. I'm also glad they specified "opt-in" consent and not "opt-out." They can't start collecting your data without your prior knowledge and authorization. This is a good thing.

Next step would be to disallow hijacking and data insertion into your stream of data. It would be a step towards cementing ISPs role as a dumb carrier of data.

Does this also preclude ISPs from not allowing you access to higher tiers of service without consenting to data collection? That is that in addition to requiring an opt-in they can't incentivize it at all by giving users who don't opt-in a degraded experience.

I was able to find an answer to at least part of this question in the FCC fact sheet[0] on the decision.

> The Order prohibits “take-it-or-leave-it” offers, meaning that an ISP can’t refuse to serve customers who don’t consent to the use and sharing of their information for commercial purposes.

So at least they can't cut you off entirely if you don't consent/opt-in.

[0] http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016...

Edit: source

Interesting - so looks like UVerse's policies may still be permitted (ie, you pay more for privacy).

Yeah, I wonder how this applies to something like the high speed connections on Uverse, where your defaulted into data collection/traffic injection. Opt out requires paying more for the service.