US Court Of Appeal Rejects Implementation Of Network Neutrality Rules

Illustration of ISP providers (photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - In the latest decision filed today, the US Court of Appeals of the Sixth Circuit ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not have legal authority to implement internet neutrality rules.

Launching Engadget, internet neutrality is a rule that prevents internet service providers (ISPs) from providing special treatment to certain customers or content. This means that ISPs are prohibited from charging additional fees to speed up access to certain streaming services or slow access to other websites.

This internet neutrality rule was first enforced in 2015, when the FCC classified the ISP as a "telecommunications service" under the Title II of the 1934 Communications Act.

However, during the Trump administration in 2017, the ISP was reclassified as an "information service," leading to the lifting of the rule.

However, these rules remain in effect in some states such as California, but at the federal level, these rules cannot be enforced without action from Congress or a new ruling from the Supreme Court.

"Consumers across the country have repeatedly told us that they want a fast, open and fair internet," FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement.

"With this decision, it is clear that Congress now needs to heed their calls, take over responsibility for network neutrality, and include open internet principles into federal law," concluded Jessica.