On Thursday February 26, 2015 a landmark decision was made for the future of the Internet. The Federal Communications Commission approved tough net neutrality regulations to oversee online traffic. The new rules prohibit Internet service providers (ISPs) for discriminating against legal content flowing through their wired or wireless networks, such as by charging websites for faster delivery of video and other data to customers. Thus, all legal content must be treated equally online by ISPs.
"The Internet is the most powerful and pervasive platform on the planet. It's simply too important to be left without rules and without a referee on the field."
Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman
The Internet is simply too important to allow broadband providers to be the ones making the rules. Wheeler's plan puts broadband providers in the same legal category as more highly regulated conventional telephone companies.
Net Neutrality has raised more profound issues of free speech, privacy, innovation, capitalism, and the role of government in the 21st century.
Sources:
Chicago Tribune (February 27, 2015)
MKE Journal Sentinel (February 27, 2015)
