ACADEMIC ARTICLE SUMMARY
The FCC is About to Repeal Net Neutrality. Here’s Why Congress Should Stop Them
Article Source: Medium, November 26, 2017
Publication Date:
Time to Read: 2 minute readSearch for the full article on Bing
ARTICLE SUMMARY
Summary:
In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans to repeal net neutrality rules. Net neutrality rules are well established and popular.
POLICY RELEVANCE
Policy Relevance:
Congress should intervene to prevent the FCC from repealing net neutrality rules.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Takeaways:
- In November of 2017, FCC Chairman Ajit Paj outlined the FCC's plan to repeal federal net neutrality rules.
- The plan would allow ISPs to block, speed up, or slow down websites, apps, and online services, or offer some customers a "fast lane."
- The plan reclassifies broadband Internet services as a Title I service, rather than as a common carrier.
- The plan includes a proposal to ban states from passing net neutrality rules.
- The plan would allow ISPs to block, speed up, or slow down websites, apps, and online services, or offer some customers a "fast lane."
- The United States has always had a de facto net neutrality regime; the architecture of the Internet and a mix of formal and informal FCC rules limited blocking and discrimination by ISPs.
- The new plan would allow ISPs to charge websites for access to an ISP's customers, block customers that do not pay, and build "fast lanes" for those who pay.
- Almost every company today relies on the Internet, and small businesses and startups that cannot afford a fast lane under the new regime will find it hard to compete.
- Repeal of net neutrality rules is unpopular, with 77 percent of Americans supporting the FCC's net neutrality rules.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lacks the authority to stop violations of net neutrality; the FTC can intervene only if the ISP contravenes its own policies for fast lane access, but cannot intervene to protect free speech or innovation.
- Congress should resolve this issue through net neutrality legislation.