The US Federal Communications Agency (FCC) has approved the return of rules regarding network neutrality that were previously canceled in 2018. Three out of the five members of the commission voted in favor of reinstating the rules, which prohibit providers from offering paid prioritization, blocking access, and restricting speed to content and services on legal grounds.
Under the new decision, broadband access will be classified as an “information service” rather than a “telecommunication service.” This classification will ensure that content distributors and operators are treated equally and prevent discrimination between the two parties. The rules will also empower the FCC to request failure reports from providers, oversee security measures, and monitor issue resolution.
Supporters of network neutrality, primarily large content providers and online services, believe that all types of traffic should be treated equally and oppose any discrimination by providers. They argue that allowing operators to prioritize certain types or sources of traffic could result in restricted access to certain sites and data, while hindering new services from entering the market. They argue that enforcing network neutrality rules is essential to safeguard consumer rights and prevent abuse by communication operators.
On the other hand, opponents of network neutrality, including internet providers and network equipment manufacturers, argue in favor of the ability to adjust priorities for different types of traffic at their discretion. They believe that such flexibility could be used to incentivize providers to enhance access speed to their resources or improve quality of service, even if it means restricting competitors’ services. They also express concerns about additional regulation of broadband providers leading to industry slowdown and increased state supervision, despite the argument that market competition has historically regulated network neutrality effectively.