The net neutrality regulations that the Federal Communications Commission adopted during the Obama era appear to be headed to the chopping block. According to the new report, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will soon reveal his plans to fellow commissioners about a total repeal of the existing net neutrality regulations. The FCC will then vote on the proposal next month almost seven months after the groundwork was laid for repealing these rules that ensure ISPS treat all web traffic equally.
Citing people familiar with the plans, Politico reports that the FCC is going to repeal the rules that prevent internet service providers from blocking or slowing down web traffic. They can’t create paid internet fast lanes as well to prioritize web traffic for services that pay for the privilege.
Pai is also reportedly going to dismantle the legal foundation that the FCC adopted in 2015 to increase federal oversight of ISPs. His argument is that this has prevented the industry from investing in broadband networks. Some ISPs have expressed concerns that this foundation could lead to possible price regulation of internet services by the government.
The chairman’s proposal will be voted on come December 14th. It also seeks to eliminate the general conduct standard which gives the FCC authority to reprimand ISPs for behavior it finds unreasonable. It will leave it up to the FTC to police if ISPs are engaging in anti-competitive behavior.
There has been no formal comment by the FCC on this as yet.
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