US FCC wants to roll back current net neutrality rules

FCC chairman Ajit Pai is said to have plans to roll back net neutrality rules in the US. In addition, providers would still have to promise to comply with the rules and not to distinguish between different types of internet traffic.

Based on its own sources, The Wall Street Journal reports that Pai still wants to “maintain the basic principles of net neutrality and leave the supervision to the FTC.” That oversight is currently still with the FCC, of ​​which Pai is the chairman. Both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters report that part of the plans is that Internet service providers must promise to stick to the basic principles, for example by including this in their terms and conditions. If they don’t, the FTC could intervene.

According to Ars Technica, it will be more complicated to have the rules enforced by the consumer watchdog FTC, because the organization cannot make decisions as the telecoms regulator FCC, but has to prove it right through a judge. Pai’s plans could become reality as early as May or June, the sources say. American consumer organizations are critical of the plans.

Current net neutrality rules were introduced by the FCC under then-President Obama in 2015. Under those rules, American internet providers are not allowed to hinder content from third parties, for example by artificially lowering the speed. Offering ‘highways’ to paying parties or giving priority to own services was also restricted. In addition, providers were classified as utilities.

FCC Chairman Pai stated in late February that he views net neutrality as a mistake. He stated that the rules create uncertainty in the broadband market and that investments in technology are therefore lagging behind. Rules for ISPs changed this week as President Trump signed a bill that would allow them to sell their customers’ browsing history to third parties. Pai then defended the new rules.