In a pivotal move along party lines, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to kickstart the process of reinstating net neutrality regulations from the Obama era. This landmark decision grants the FCC enhanced authority to regulate the internet, aimed at shielding consumers from unfavorable practices like blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization by broadband providers.
The commission’s vote on Thursday, October 19, signifies a significant step in reinstating these rules and marks the inaugural stride under President Biden’s Democratic-majority FCC, as reported by the *Kansas City Star*. The delay of two years was predominantly due to a holdup involving a previous FCC nominee. The confirmation of Democratic Chair Anna Gomez in September empowered FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to propel the Democratic agenda forward.
The proposal, endorsed on Thursday, endeavors to reinstate the FCC’s control over broadband internet access by reclassifying it as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act. This aims to reintroduce the regulatory framework initially adopted in 2015 but later repealed in 2018 during the Trump administration.
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Chairwoman Rosenworcel emphasized the indispensability of these protections, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened reliance on online resources for work and personal activities. She stressed that “broadband is a necessity, not a luxury,” underscoring the urgency of ensuring that broadband remains fast, open, and equitable.
Moreover, Rosenworcel highlighted that the proposed regulations would play a pivotal role in ensuring public safety, national security, cybersecurity, and privacy. The three Democratic commissioners—Jessica Rosenworcel, Anna Gomez, and Geoffrey Starks—voted in favor of the proposal. In contrast, the two Republican commissioners—Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington—opposed it.
Commissioner Simington deemed the regulations “unnecessary” and “dangerously overbroad,” while Carr characterized them as a “failed” experiment from the Obama era. Carr, in a statement, argued that average fixed and mobile download speeds in the U.S. had increased since 2017, citing data from Ookla. This counters claims that no progress has been made since the FCC rolled back net neutrality.
Rosenworcel countered this argument, asserting that reinstating these rules would establish a “uniform legal framework” for the entire nation, replacing the state-by-state regulations that emerged after the 2018 repeal. She stressed the significance of implementing a national policy for the most vital infrastructure in the digital age, ensuring consistent open internet principles.
The decision to initiate this process showcases the FCC’s continuous efforts to address concerns related to net neutrality and provide consumers with necessary protections in an increasingly digital world. Further deliberations lie ahead, but this vote signifies a substantial stride toward potentially reinstating rules designed to uphold an open and fair internet for all.
