The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted in favor of restoring the net neutrality in USAmarking a significant change in dagu regulation The measure, approved by a vote of 3 to 2 following partisan lines, seeks to reaffirm access to an open and equitable internettreating broadband service as a public utility similar to phones and water.
This Thursday, April 25, 2024, with a twist in the policy that had been eliminated during the administration of trumpthe agency plans to regulate broadband networks under a new framework that prohibits ‘fast lanes’ for certain websites and establishes equal conditions in access to digital content.
Net neutrality prevents the internet service providers give priority to certain web traffic or establish “express streets” that benefit certain websites at the expense of others. This measure seeks to ensure that all internet users have equitable access to digital contentpreventing companies with large economic resources from obtaining advantages over smaller ones.
In accordance with The Wall Street Journalthe regulatory framework, based on the Title II of the Communications Lawallows the FCC intervene in the face of rates considered unreasonable. Also, it gives the power for the FCC to exercise greater oversight on broadband providers, requiring them to report and respond to service interruptions, as well as expanding oversight of security issues.
The president of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworceldefended net neutrality and assured that Greater regulatory authority over internet infrastructure will allow agency to protect private sector networks against cyber threats. On this, he confirmed that the new rules will affect a wide range of companies that provide internet services, including cable companies, mobile operators and satellite internet providersas confirmed The New York Times.
The decision of the FCC has generated a mixed response. On the one hand, internet service providers, such as Verizon Communications and AT&T, anticipate legal challenges, fearing that this will open the door to future price regulations. On the other hand, defenders of net neutrality assure that these rules “help prevent website discrimination and ensure fair competition”.
The antecedent of the net neutrality dates back to 2015, under the administration of Barak Obamawhen the FCC classified the provision of internet services as a public service and imposed net neutrality rules. This measure was revoked in 2017 under the administration of donald trumpthen led by Ajit Pai.
A decade ago, the proposal of these regulations triggered strong protests. Online service companies as Google and Netflix argued at the time that without the protection of net neutrality, internet service providers could encourage anti-competitive practices, such as “the slowdown or blocking of access to its services”a view supported by consumer and free speech groups.
