US Set to Revive Controversial Web Rules Trump Worked to Quash
US regulators are set on Thursday to reinstate rules aimed at ensuring that everything on the internet is equally accessible — a principle known as net neutrality that has stoked debate and controversy across technology and telecom industries for more than two decades.
The US Federal Communications Commission is widely expected to make a decision at a Thursday meeting that would advance the revival of net neutrality. More specifically, the panel will vote on whether fast internet access is a basic telecom service. That, in turn, would re-establish its authority to police broadband providers for any attempts to block or throttle back internet traffic for some while prioritizing access to others who are willing to pay more.
The debate over government's role in regulating internet access has raged around the world for years. The US government's approach has changed dramatically at times depending on the administration. Under former President Donald Trump, net-neutrality rules were gutted. Under President Joe Biden, the administration has made the revival of them a high priority. The proposal that the FCC is considering on Thursday, put forth by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, would see to that.
Read More: Why Trump's FCC Tossed Obama's Net Neutrality Rules: QuickTake
Proponents of net-neutrality rules have said fast, reliable broadband service is a basic societal need today that governments must protect on behalf of households and businesses. Rosenworcel's proposal would bar broadband providers from blocking or slowing internet service and forbid “fast lanes” for favored traffic — for example from business partners who pay for quicker passage.
“Common sense tells us the nation's leading communications watchdog
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