Net neutrality law

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Net neutrality law refers to laws and regulations which enforce the principle of net neutrality.[1][2]

Opponents of net neutrality enforcement claim regulation is unnecessary, because broadband service providers have no plans to block content or degrade network performance.[3] Opponents of net neutrality regulation also argue that the best solution to discrimination by broadband providers is to encourage greater competition among such providers, which is currently limited in many areas.[4]

On 23 April 2014, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was reported to be considering a new rule that would permit Internet service providers to offer content providers a faster track to send content, thus reversing their earlier position on net neutrality.[5][6][7] Municipal broadband could provide a net neutral environment, according to Professor Susan Crawford, a legal and technology expert at Harvard Law School.[8] On 15 May 2014, the FCC decided to consider two options regarding Internet services: first, permit fast and slow broadband lanes, thereby compromising net neutrality; and second, reclassify broadband as a telecommunication service, thereby preserving net neutrality.[9][10] On 10 November 2014, President Obama recommended the FCC reclassify broadband Internet service as a telecommunications service in order to preserve net neutrality.[11][12] On 26 February 2015, the FCC ruled in favor of net neutrality by reclassifying broadband access as a telecommunications service and thus applying Title II (common carrier) of the Communications Act of 1934 to Internet service providers.[13] On 14 December 2017, the FCC voted to repeal these net neutrality regulations, particularly by reclassifying broadband providers so that they are not considered common carries under Title II of the Communications Act of 1936. The FCC would reverse this decision on 25 April 2024, instituting net neutrality once more.[14]

  1. ^ Lohr, Steve (30 March 2017). "Net Neutrality Is Trump's Next Target, Administration Says". New York Times. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  2. ^ The Editorial Board (10 April 2015). "Editorial - Global Threats to Net Neutrality". New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  3. ^ Hart, Jonathan D. (2007). Internet Law. BNA Books. p. 750. ISBN 9781570186837.
  4. ^ John Podhoretz. "Who Runs the Internet: What Lobbying is Really All About". Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  5. ^ Wyatt, Edward (23 April 2014). "F.C.C., in 'Net Neutrality' Turnaround, Plans to Allow Fast Lane". New York Times. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  6. ^ Staff (24 April 2014). "Creating a Two-Speed Internet". New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  7. ^ Carr, David (11 May 2014). "Warnings Along F.C.C.'s Fast Lane". New York Times. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  8. ^ Crawford, Susan (28 April 2014). "The Wire Next Time". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  9. ^ Staff (15 May 2014). "Searching for Fairness on the Internet". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  10. ^ Wyatt, Edward (15 May 2014). "F.C.C. Backs Opening Net Rules for Debate". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  11. ^ Wyatt, Edward (10 November 2014). "Obama Asks F.C.C. to Adopt Tough Net Neutrality Rules". New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  12. ^ NYT Editorial Board (14 November 2014). "Why the F.C.C. Should Heed President Obama on Internet Regulation". New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  13. ^ Staff (26 February 2015). "FCC Adopts Strong, sustainable Rules To Protect The Open Internet" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  14. ^ Staff (25 April 2024). "FCC Restores Net Neutrality" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 28 April 2024.