Title II and Net Neutrality Rules Could Be Back this Year

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is getting ready to make a big decision. On April 25, it plans to vote on restoring Title II and Net Neutrality rules.

If these rules are accepted, they will become effective 60 days after being listed in the Federal Register, probably this summer.

These rules are about keeping the internet open and fair for everyone.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said, “The pandemic made clear that broadband is an essential service, that every one of us – no matter who we are or where we live – needs it to have a fair shot at success in the digital age.”

Many people, including President Joe Biden, support the idea of bringing these rules back. Biden signed an order in July 2021 to encourage the FCC to do this. The FCC had a vote in October, and most of them agreed on this plan.

Net Neutrality means that all internet data should be treated the same. This stops internet service providers (ISPs) from making some websites faster or slower than others.

Rosenworcel said, “An essential service requires oversight, and in this case, we are just putting back in place the rules that have already been court-approved to ensure that broadband access is fast, open, and fair.”

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has been vocal about the consequences of the previous administration’s decision to repeal net neutrality rules.

She described the situation: “As a result, [the commission] has been handcuffed from acting to fully secure broadband networks, protect consumer data, and ensure the internet remains fast, open, and fair.”

These rules were previously removed under Chairman Ajit Pai. He thought there wasn’t enough competition and the government was too involved. But now, the FCC wants to change that and ensure the internet is open and fair for everyone.

Some people don’t agree with bringing these rules back. They think it might make internet companies less likely to improve their services.

However, the FCC says these rules are very popular and necessary for security and consumer protection.

The FCC also mentioned, “Since 2017, broadband speeds in the U.S. have increased, prices are down (and) competition has intensified.” This shows that even after the old rules were removed, the internet still improved in some ways.

If the FCC’s plan goes through, it could start this summer. This would be a big change and would make sure the internet stays open and fair for everyone.

In their recent announcement, the FCC shed light on several key aspects and expected benefits of the proposed net neutrality reinstatement. According to the press release, the plan includes:

• A commitment to ensuring all internet traffic is treated equally to maintain an open and equitable online environment.
• This would give the FCC the authority to monitor and manage disruptions in broadband services, ensuring reliable internet access for users.
• Enhancing the overall security of the internet by granting the FCC greater authority to oversee and protect the network infrastructure.
• Strengthening the safeguards around customer data, ensuring privacy and security for internet users.

In the end, this vote by the FCC is about making sure everyone can use the internet in the same way. It’s about keeping the internet a place where everyone has equal access, no matter what. This is what Net Neutrality is all about.