In a decisive, party-line vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) embarked on a quest to resurrect net neutrality rules that had been dismantled during the Trump administration, setting the stage for a monumental struggle both within the agency and the courtrooms.
The now Democratic-led FCC voted 3-2 to breathe life into the set of rules, initially introduced by the Obama-era FCC. These rules were designed to prevent internet service providers from interfering with the speed, access, and prioritization of web traffic. The proposed regulations aim to reclassify broadband service, moving it from its current status as a Title I information service to being regulated as telecommunications under Title II of the Communications Act.
This momentous vote lays bare the profound ideological divide within the FCC regarding the extent of regulation required for internet service. This debate, which has evolved since the early 2000s, witnessed a growing intensity over the past decade, consistently driving a wedge between the members of the commission.
