The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now trying to revive its net neutrality rules.
Will this effort benefit AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, and other broadband service providers? Here are the major details you need to know.
FCC Net Neutrality Rules Revival: Will ISP Consumers Benefit From This?
The seal of the Federal Communications Commission hangs inside the hearing room at the FCC headquarters February 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Commission will vote on Internet rules, grounded in multiple sources of the Commissions legal authority.
The net neutrality regulations, which aim to prevent ISPs from blocking websites and prohibiting them from charging higher-quality service, were dismantled by the FCC in 2017.
This decision reflected the view of the recent Trump Administration and former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who both believe that if businesses are unregulated, they can help the economy and lead to more innovations.
Now, thanks to Democrats taking majority control of the five-member FCC, the net neutrality rules are being revived. This is the latest of FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to help American broadband consumers.
"For everyone, everywhere, to enjoy the full benefits of the internet age, internet access should be more than just accessible and affordable. The internet needs to be open," said Rosenworcel via NBC News.
This decision was announced on Monday, Sept. 25, which is the first time that Democrats took majority control of the FCC since U.S. President Joe Biden was elected.
What It Means for AT&T, Other ISPs
Network cables are plugged in a server room on November 10, 2014 in New York City. U.S. President Barack Obama called on the Federal Communications Commission to implement a strict policy of net neutrality and to oppose content providers in restricting bandwith to customers.
Rosenworcel explained that the global COVID-19 pandemic proved that the internet is not just something nice to have. She added that broadband connections are among the necessities of Americans today.
"It is essential infrastructure for modern life. No one without it has a fair shot at 21st-century success," she explained.
According to CNET, the net neutrality rules aim to make broadband services as important as other utilities, such as water and electricity.
Because of this, the new regulations will require AT&T and other internet service providers to treat all kinds of internet traffic equally.
This means that broadband service providers can no longer prioritize websites they are affiliated with over their competitors' services.
The FCC's newly released fact sheet explained how restoring net neutrality regulations can greatly benefit internet consumers:
- Nationwide Standard - Establish a uniform national standard rather than a patchwork of state-by-state approaches, benefiting consumers and Internet Service Providers.
- Safety - Allow the FCC to enhance the resiliency of broadband networks and bolster efforts to require providers to notify the FCC and consumers of internet outages.
- Security - Reclassify broadband internet access to give the FCC and its national security partners the tools needed to defend our networks from potential security threats.
- Openness - Establish basic rules for Internet Service Providers that prevent them from blocking legal content, throttling your speeds, and creating fast lanes that favor those who can pay for access.
You can click this link to learn more about the revival of FCC's net neutrality regulations.
Related Article: Salary Transparency Law: How New York Employees May Benefit From The New Legislature?
