The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Wednesday that it would again issue rules in order to prevent Internet service providers from slowing down or even blocking consumer access to non-toll-paying content providers.
This announcement means that the FCC is not planning to reclassify broadband as a public utility. The reclassification, being pushed by the Democrats and public-interest groups, would mean that the commission will have more authority to impose rules for broadband providers.
Net neutrality is a concept wherein all Internet traffic is treated equally and is a crucial part in keeping the Internet open and highly competitive even for smaller companies. However, courts have ruled against the FCC's previous attempts at enforcing such neutralities on companies like Comcast Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said to the Wall Street Journal, "The FCC must stand strongly behind its responsibility to oversee the public interest standard and ensure that the Internet remains open and fair".
"The Internet is and must remain the greatest engine of free expression, innovation, economic growth and opportunity the world has ever known," he added.
In January, courts ruled that the FCC could impose a "no blocking" rule if it can find different legal justification. Rules on how broadband companies treat content are being established and will likely outline the boundaries of what will be considered unfair discrimination among websites.
Paul Gallant, an analyst from Guggenheim Securities, said to WSJ that the commission is more likely to focus on policing anti-competitive conducts rather that discouraging content deals between broadband and content providers.
Net Neutrality supporters are disappointed that the FCC did not reclassify broadband Internet as a public utility while broadband providers, on the other hand, argue that the reclassification would be disastrous because it would subject them to regulations designed for landline phone systems.