The Reinstatement of Net Neutrality

Introduction

Net neutrality has been a hot-button issue for years, sparking debates among policymakers, tech companies, and the general public. Recently, there has been a renewed push to reinstate net neutrality regulations, which were rolled back during the tenure of former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. This article aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in the net neutrality landscape and the states that have taken steps to enforce it.

Latest Developments

As of September 30, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering reinstating net neutrality rules that were rolled back in 2017. The FCC’s new chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, has been a vocal supporter of net neutrality and has expressed her commitment to restoring the regulations. The FCC is currently in the process of reviewing public comments on the matter, and a decision is expected soon. The reinstatement of net neutrality would prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from throttling, blocking, or prioritizing internet traffic, ensuring a level playing field for all online services and websites. Source

States Taking Action

In the absence of federal regulations, several states have taken matters into their own hands by introducing or enacting net neutrality legislation. Here is a list of states that have made strides in this direction:

Enacted Legislation

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Maine
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • Puerto Rico

Introduced Legislation (2022 Session)

  • New York
  • Nevada
  • Minnesota
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina

California, for instance, has agreed not to enforce its net neutrality law until the lawsuit challenging the FCC’s repeal of federal regulations is resolved. New York has enacted legislation that establishes the ConnectALL deployment program, which gives preference to applicants who commit not to impose data caps or prioritize internet content.

Conclusion

The debate over net neutrality is far from over, but there is a renewed sense of optimism with the FCC’s current leadership and the actions taken by various states. As we await the FCC’s decision, it is clear that net neutrality remains a critical issue that could shape the future of the internet in the United States.