Dive Brief:
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 Thursday to regulate the Internet like a public utility, upholding the principles of net neutrality.
- The rules will prevent network providers such as AT&T and Comcast from controlling access to the Internet, or charging more for faster speeds and traffic.
- The new rules will also apply to mobile broadband access, where Verizon has blocked Google Wallet and PayPal apps in the past.
Dive Insight:
Net neutrality scored a big win on Thursday with the FCC’s 3-2 vote to adopt rules protecting a free and open Internet. The rules will keep Internet providers from blocking legal websites, and also prevent them from restricting speeds for data-heavy services such as Netflix. For the first time, the rule will also apply to mobile broadband services.
Consumers won’t notice any immediate changes, since FCC has basically upheld the status quo, or an equal-access Internet. The protections won’t take effect for a few months, however, giving opponents of bet neutrality—mainly large network providers including AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon—time to challenge them in court.
Thursday’s hearing featured comments from Chad Dickerson, Etsy's CEO, who thanked FCC for “protecting the Internet as an engine for economic opportunity.” A tweet issued by President Obama echoed the sentiment: “Today’s FCC decision will protect innovation and create a level playing field for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”