Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
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Net Neutrality in the U.S
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 last week to support regulating broadband as a utility.
Led by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the new rule means that the FCC will regulate Internet service providers as public utilities and set new standards for speed and pricing. This reclassification of the internet has received significant opposition from the telecoms industry, which feels that such regulations will introduce burdensome government regulation, increase broadband taxes for consumers, and infringe on Internet freedom. Internet providers have warned that this could impact future investment in infrastructure and plans to expand service to underserved communities.
The FCC’s two Republicans opposed the rule, expressing concern that their fellow Commissioners had flip-flopped on the issue as a response to political pressure from the White House. Republicans in Congress have vowed to pass legislation overturning the FCC decision, and some telecoms companies have committed to take the FCC to court over the issue.
