Net neutrality debate active again

The leadership of the FCC presently consists of four members; two Democrats and two Republicans. The intended leadership group is five members with three members from the party of the President and two from the opposing party. At this point in the Biden Presidency, the FCC still lacks a fifth member because of Senate Republican objections to Biden nominees (read this pro-Republican account for complains about nominee Gigi Sohn). 

The makeup of the FCC is crucial to the role of net neutrality. This doctrine proposes that service providers (the company you pay to access the Internet) must treat all content equally. This means they cannot prioritize content based on business opportunities or other reasons. For example, a company that provides both Internet and cable television cannot slow access to online video services advantaging their own cable television offerings. A different way to describe the concept is to propose that Internet providers should function as common carriers in the same way telephone companies must be common carriers. You pay for phone service and the cost can change, but you can use this service as you want. Related to this issue is the level of realistic competition in the market. Many Internet users have limited options in how they access the Internet meaning market options with different companies offering different experiences are not available.

As a policy net neutrality has changed with administrations. Net neutrality was the policy during the Obama administration, but this standard was removed during the Trump administration. With a 2-2 split on the FCC, the existing standard remains in place.

Democrats have now introduced a bill to mandate net neutrality. Passing legislation would take the FCC out of the decision making role for this issue. The bill would expect Internet providers to function as common carriers and allow the FCC to take on other issues related to Internet use (see below). As a political issue the party orientation toward the Internet breaks out as favoring corporations or consumers. 

Meanwhile, classifying broadband as a telecommunications service would in turn allow the FCC more authority over providers. This would mean promoting competition, policing potential abuses, and updating Universal Service Fund programs to provide broadband to schools, libraries, and lower-income Americans. 

https://www.extremetech.com/internet/338404-democrats-introduce-bill-to-reinstate-net-neutrality-rules
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