The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to restore a national standard for an internet that is “fast, open, and fair”.
The decision to reclassify broadband delivery as a Title II telecommunications service means that broadband internet service is treated as an essential service.
Title II is a section of the US Communications Act that gives the FCC authority to serve as a watchdog over the communications market and oversee public interest. Title II took on special importance in the Net Neutrality debate after a court ruling that the FCC has clear authority to enforce open internet policies if broadband internet is classified as a Title II “telecommunications” service.
Its 20 years since the then FCC chair Michael K. Powell challenged the broadband network industry to preserve “Internet Freedoms.” Challenges from Comcast and Verizon followed and in 2018 during the Trump administration the FCC surrendered its authority over the internet.
After California introduced its own net neutrality law and other States introduced their own regulations, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel began the reclassification process.
The principle behind Net neutrality is that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) should enable access to all content and applications, regardless of the source, and with favouring or blocking certain products or websites.
