The FCC Can and Must Prevent a Separate-but-Unequal Internet

John Nichols
The Nation

When the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Order Tuesday—dealing what is being broadly interpreted as a fatal blow to net neutrality— it highlighted the urgent need for the FCC to develop a smarter and more assertive approach to protecting citizens and consumers in the digital age.

(Image: FreePress.net)

The court rejected a 2010 move by the FCC that was intended to prevent phone and cable conglomerates from subdividing the Internet in ways that block or interfere with communications. The commission’s attempt to reassert its authority—after a FCC dominated by appointees of former President George W. Bush had weakened it—was rejected on the grounds that the approach chosen by the FCC in 2010 was legally unsound.
The FCC classified broadband providers as information service providers rather than as telecommunications service providers. The move, widely criticized by consumer groups, created openings for legal challenges to regulations.

The DC Circuit has rejected the commission’s approach, and struck down key regulations that were designed to preserve net neutrality.

But the court has not said the FCC lacks authority to protect broadband Internet users.

In fact, if the FCC responds to the court ruling with a bold move to reclassify broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service that can be regulated in the public interest, it has the ability to do just that.
This is the challenge that has been presented to Tom Wheeler, the new chairman of the commission, who recently said that “it is essential that the FCC continue to maintain an open Internet and maintain the legal ability to intervene promptly and effectively in the event of aggravated circumstances.”

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