FCC Plans to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules

Facts

• On Tuesday, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to reinstate Obama-era net neutrality rules annulled under former president Donald Trump.¹
• The move comes a day after Democrats took majority control of the five-member FCC for the first time since President Biden took office in January 2021.²
• According to FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel, the vote on the reinstatement of net neutrality rules is scheduled to take place on Oct. 19.³
• Net neutrality rules, initially adopted in 2015, classified broadband as a public utility service and required internet service providers (ISPs) to provide equal data access and speed to all traffic.⁴
• Rosenworcel has said the FCC intends to designate internet service as 'essential telecommunications' and prevent ISPs from using 'fast lanes' that advantage certain sites over others.⁵
• The draft rules would also block ISPs from 'unreasonably interfering or unreasonably disadvantaging consumers from going where they want and doing what they want on the internet.'⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters (a), ²Reuters (b), ³Verge, ⁴Wired, ⁵CNN and ⁶The hill.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Verdict. Net neutrality is putting consumers first. All internet users should have equal access to online content without ISPs interfering. Net neutrality also promotes freedom of speech, encourages democratic participation, and prevents censorship. The FCC must prevent ISPs indulging in business practices that perpetuate inequality on the internet.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Nikkei asia. The federal government shouldn't micromanage or throttle an open, competitive internet. Current net neutrality rules are outdated, give the FCC too much control over the ISPs, and make it difficult to innovate or expand networks. Reinstating net neutrality is futile — today's internet is complex and changes quickly, so any adjustments will become obsolete as soon as they are established.

Predictions