(ProsperNews.net) – US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Jessica Rosenworcel is to reintroduce net neutrality rules rescinded during the Trump administration. The move comes as Democrats gain a majority on the Commission with the appointment of new Commissioner Anna Gomez. An initial vote will be held in October with encouragement from President Biden, who urged the committee to overturn the regulations in 2021.
Net neutrality essentially means that all internet providers are treated equally and does not allow consumers or site owners to pay extra fees for faster or smoother access. The FCC will furthermore designate internet access as “essential communications” alongside telephone services. Rosenworcel said reclassifying Internet service providers (ISPs) as essential telecommunications allows the FCC to exercise greater authority.
The crux of her argument is that telephone companies cannot sell customer data, whereas ISPs are treated differently. “Does that really make sense? Do we want our broadband providers selling off where we go and what we do online?” she asked.
The move will likely be met with hostility and legal challenges from internet giants who want the freedom to charge extra fees and provide separate services. Attorneys representing AT&T, Verizon Communications, Comcast Corp, and other parties dropped their lawsuit against California’s net neutrality laws last year. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals would not consider overturning a 2018 ruling keeping the California legislation in place.
The court ruled that the 2017 FCC decision to overturn nationwide net neutrality rules did not prevent states from taking individual action to do so. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “Following multiple defeats in court, internet service providers have abandoned this effort to block enforcement of California’s net neutrality law.”
The companies involved took a conciliatory tone in the face of the ruling and said they support a free and open internet and looked forward to working with the Federal Communications Commission to iron out any remaining issues and devise a federal resolution.
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