The Federal Communications Commission first formally established net neutrality principles in 2005, but did not have the legal authority to enforce them. Until 2015, in the Obama administration Order of free internet access Was approved. The ruling gave the Federal Communications Commission the authority it needed to reclassify Internet service providers as telecommunications services, and then put into effect rules that would prevent providers from blocking or slowing Internet content or charging more for different services. Receipt.
From 2005 to 2015, before the commission had the right to adopt net neutrality rules, discussions and negotiations on net neutrality rules increased; Because Internet service providers had implemented restrictions on certain programs and services. Proponents of net neutrality argued that Internet service providers should not have the power to control or manipulate Internet traffic and online content.
In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission passed strict net neutrality rules under Title II of the Communications Act. Under these rules, broadband Internet was classified as a public utility and Internet service providers were organized as “public carriers.” The approval of this law led to the official implementation of net neutrality principles in 2015.
In December 2017, the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission repealed rules filed in 2015, and the repeal of net neutrality rules sparked an explosive series of lawsuits over states’ right to enforce state net neutrality laws. The decision was met with widespread criticism and protests from net neutrality advocates who argued that it would lead to unfair representation, loss of free speech and suffocation of the internet.
In 2018, California’s net neutrality bill was challenged in court three times by ISPs and the Department of Justice before the companies completely stopped legal battles in May 2022.
In July 2021, Biden signed an executive order asking the Federal Communications Commission to reinstate Obama-era backers, but the order was largely unsuccessful. Now, the Democratic-dominated Biden administration is trying to reinstate federal net neutrality regulations.
On September 28, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission Public Draft Notice of Proposed Rules (NPRM) was published and a vote was taken at the open meeting on October 19, 2023. By classifying the Internet as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, the proposed draft restored the Commission’s authority in the area of access to broadband Internet service.
The public draft proposes that the Commission should take the first procedural steps toward reauthorizing the rules that classify broadband Internet service as one of the services essential to life in America. Today, jobs, healthcare, education, commerce and many other things are done online; As a result, internet services should be freely available to everyone. Such laws confirm that Internet services are on par with water, electricity, and telephone services; It means that it is very necessary.
The debate about net neutrality continues internationally, and many countries are implementing regulations to maintain a free and neutral internet; or under review.
The future of net neutrality
On October 19, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve revised net neutrality rules. Jessica Rosenorsel, the head of the US Federal Communications Commission, says that broadband is a necessity, not a luxury, and the Corona epidemic made this fact very clear. He says:
Rosenworsel says that the re-enactment of the rules is not at all a means of creating division and negation of regulations. Competition among service providers is the best way to reduce costs for consumers, and approaches such as the Affordable Connection Program are the best option to ensure easy access to the right services for everyone. He added that the repeal of net neutrality in 2017 put the commission on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law and in front of the American people, because 80% of people in this country support net neutrality.
Brendan Carr, a Republican member of the commission, opposed the measure, saying that since 2017, “broadband Internet speeds in the United States have increased, costs have decreased and competition has intensified.” He argues that the plan will ultimately lead to “government control of the Internet.” He also added in a statement: “The American people do not want government control over their online activities; Rather, they want more freedom on the Internet.”
Reza Panjavanisenior policy adviser at the Free Technology Institute, said the plan would give the Federal Communications Commission the power to “address barriers to broadband infrastructure deployment, stay abreast of reports on Internet network performance and resiliency, and, during public emergencies, protect the American people.” keep in touch with each other.”
To date, 12 US states follow net neutrality laws. The proposed dates for comments and responses to the public draft are December 14, 2023 and January 17, 2024. Now it remains to be seen where the net neutrality regulation will end and what it will mean for technology giants and internet users all over the world in the long run.
