FCC repeals net neutrality rules


Today, on Dec 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) voted 3-2 to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order, i.e., the Obama-era regulation requiring the companies to treat all web traffic alike. The repeal of net neutrality was performed by the passing of an order named “Restoring Internet Freedom,” which “essentially removes the FCC as a regulator of the broadband industry and relegates rules that prevented blocking and throttling content to the honor system.” (Devin Coldewey,The FCC officially votes to kill net neutrality,  here ) As expected, the vote was along party’s line, with Republican members voting in favor of the order and the Democratic members voting against it.

As a way of background: On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to regulate broadband Internet access service as a public utility (e.g., water and telephone). Reclassification as a telecommunication service utility allowed for network neutrality (see more here).  This is not true anymore.

The full consequences of the repeal of net neutrality are still unclear. See here.

For more information: Francesca Giannoni-Crystal