Updated: US Net Neutrality Rules Go Up In Smoke by 3-2 Vote
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States is expected to repeal net neutrality rules, today, Dec. 14. The regulations, which were first implemented during the Obama administration, are likely to be rolled back through an order called Restoring Internet Freedom.
Implemented two years ago, Net Neutrality forbids internet providers from blocking or throttling specific web pages or from giving preferential treatment to particular sites.
Assuming the new rules pass, internet service providers will once again be classified as “information service” providers, which they were called between 1996 and 2015. In doing so, providers could eventually make some content arrive more quickly as others.
As noted in the proposed order:
For almost twenty years, the Internet thrived under the light-touch regulatory approach established by President Clinton and a Republican Congress. This bipartisan framework led the private sector to invest $1.5 trillion building communications networks throughout the United States. And it gave us an Internet economy that became the envy of the world.
Apple and other technology companies are against repealing the net neutrality rules, while many of the latest ISPs are for the relaxing of the rules.
You can follow today’s hearing at this link.
Updated: FCC votes 3-2 to end net neutrality.
BREAKING: The FCC votes on party lines to undo sweeping Obama-era `net neutrality' rules that guaranteed equal access to internet.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 14, 2017
