The Federal Communications Commission approved tighter regulation of the Internet on Thursday. In a vote of 3-2 along party lines, the independent organization voted in favor of regulations that would ensure net neutrality.
Internet service is now classified as a public utility, which was accomplished under Title II of the Telecommunications Act of 1934, which is the same regulation that telephone companies are put under. The set of regulations will create equal opportunity for all Internet services to use the same Internet speeds. Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC and proponent of net neutrality, stated that although the Internet has been reclassified under Title II, it will be handled differently than telephone regulation because of the newer nature of the technology.
"These are a 21st-century set of rules for a 21st-century industry," said Wheeler.
Numerous Internet companies such as Netflix and Facebook, along with smaller companies, were supportive of the regulation to promote net neutrality. Wheeler, along with President Barrack Obama and creator of the world wide web Tim Berners-Lee, voiced their hopes for continued entrepreneural opportunities as a result of net neutrality.
"Today's FCC decision will protect innovation and create a level playing field for the next generation of entrepreneurs," said President Obama in a statement.
However, Thursday's decision angered many Internet Service Providers, many of whom claim that the regulations will stifle growth of the Internet and hinder investment. Cable and telecom providers, as well as the Republicans in the FCC, fear that the regulation will become too heavy as time passes. Ajit Pai, a commissioner of the FCC, stated that Internet regulation was unncecessary.
"The Internet is not broken "¦ There is no problem to solve," said Pai.
In response to opponents of the decision, Wheeler assured that regulation would not be overbearing.
"This is no more a plan to regulate the Internet than the First Amendment is a plan to regulate free speech," Wheeler said. "They both stand for the same concept: openness, expression and an absence of gatekeepers."
Though the Title II classification was passed on Thursday, the detailed steps and actions that follow will not occur until summer. There will most likely not be any drastic change in the immediate future for consumers. Also, ISPs are expected to file lawsuits to prevent such regulation.
