Court Strikes Down FCC’s Net Neutrality Mandate

In a ruling that could have serious implications for the way Internet access is regulated in the United States, the Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this morning that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not have the authority to impose so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules on Internet service providers (ISPs).

This morning’s ruling finds that the FCC overstepped its bounds as a regulator in putting those rules in place. If the ruling stands, it would open the door for ISPs to work with content providers to provide faster access to their content, creating what some worry could become a two-tier Internet, with large providers who can afford to pay for preferential treatment forming a top tier while other online resources make do with leftover bandwidth. Read more...

Related articles

• Net Neutrality
• Net neutrality, internet usage threatened in pending court decision
• Opinion: Prepare to pay for premium Internet
• [from krillion] FCC chair: ISPs should be able to charge Netflix for Internet fast lane | Ars Technica
• Defying Washington to Save the Internet
• How Verizon's Lawsuit Could Kill Netflix, YouTube - Or why you should hate Verizon
• Broadband Progress on the Horizon If Net Neutrality Debate Doesn't Stand in the Way
• Net neutrality decision
• FCC Issues Net Neutrality Order