After six years of limitations on net neutrality, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly planning to reintroduce rules that treat all broadband data equally. The FCC chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, has proposed a plan to reinstate the agency’s 2015 rules, which will be put to a vote on October 19. This move comes as the pandemic has highlighted the importance of fast and fair internet access. Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) cannot block or throttle certain content or prioritize traffic to certain sites. However, the reinstatement of net neutrality rules is likely to face opposition from major ISPs such as AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast.
The FCC’s decision to bring back net neutrality is a significant step towards protecting an open and equal internet. Without net neutrality, ISPs have the power to control internet speeds and charge fees to prioritize traffic to certain sites. The FCC’s 2015 rules aimed to prevent discrimination and ensure that all data is treated equally. With the proposal to restore these rules, the agency is responding to the call for a fair and fast internet, particularly in light of the pandemic’s impact on internet access.
However, the battle to reinstate net neutrality is not over. Major ISPs such as AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast are likely to challenge these new regulations through legal means. In the meantime, the FCC would need to conduct a vote and undergo a period of public comment before any new regulations can be implemented. It remains to be seen how this process will unfold and what the future holds for net neutrality, but this move by the FCC is a promising step towards a more open and equitable internet landscape.
