The Federal Communications Commission will vote to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules and take on new regulatory oversight of broadband internet that was rescinded under former President Donald Trump, the commission’s chairman said. said.
The FCC informed supporters Tuesday that it plans to vote on the final rule at its April 25 meeting.
In October, the commission voted 3-2 to pass a proposal to reinstate open internet rules adopted in 2015 and reestablish the commission’s authority over broadband internet.
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers should make all content and applications accessible, regardless of their source, without prioritizing or blocking any particular product or website. point.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel confirmed the planned commission vote in an interview with Reuters.
“The pandemic has made it clear that broadband is an essential service. No matter who we are or where we live, we all need broadband to succeed in the digital age. ” she said.
Critical services require oversight, and in this case, we’re simply rolling back rules already approved by the courts that ensure broadband access is fast, open, and fair. ”
Restoring the rules is a priority for President Biden, who signed an executive order in July 2021 urging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules adopted under Democratic President Barack Obama.
Democrats lost control of the five-nation FCC until October, languishing for nearly three years.
Under the Trump administration, the FCC argued that net neutrality rules are unnecessary, stifle innovation and lead to less network investment by internet service providers, a point disputed by Democrats.
Rosenworcel said the reclassification gives the FCC an important new tool for national security purposes.
In its initial proposal, the agency said the regulations “could give more entities greater authority to require removal or replacement” of equipment and services from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE. Stated.
Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr opposed the move, saying that since 2017, “Broadband speeds in the United States have increased, prices have fallen (and) competition has increased.”
He claimed the plan would lead to “government control of the internet.”
Despite the repeal in 2017, 12 states currently have net neutrality laws or regulations in place.
The industry group waived legal challenges to these state requirements in May 2022.
