The Internet was created and envisioned as an open platform for education and research, and that is at the core of what colleges do.
The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) voted Thursday to approve a proposal to repeal its net
neutrality rules, which uphold the principle that all traffic on the
internet should be treated equally. Today’s announcement followed a
contentious comment period in which ACE and other higher education
groups identified the negative impact this could have on institutions.
The FCC’s protections ban internet service
providers (ISPs) from blocking, slowing, or providing preferred
treatment to particular sites and services. Preserving an open internet is essential
for what we all do and value as educators: research, education, the
free flow of information, and other public interests served by
universities and libraries.
Net neutrality protections have been in place
in some form since 2005. After two different versions of the rules were
struck down by the courts, the FCC in 2015 officially designated
broadband providers as telecommunications companies, a move that allowed
the FCC to regulate ISPs under Title II of the Communications Act. The
FCC will now reverse the designation of broadband providers as
telecommunications companies and do away with the three major net
neutrality prohibitions.
The new rules won't take effect until 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register.
In the meantime, members of Congress, particularly Democrats, will
likely introduce legislation to try to overturn them, and lawsuits
likely will be filed in an attempt to block them. Among those announcing
they are suing is New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, as
reported by The Hill.
For more on net neutrality’s importance to higher education, see this Washington Post op-ed written by ACE Senior Vice President Terry Hartle and Jon Fansmith, director of government relations.