FCC Votes To Repeal 'Net Neutrality' Rules, Also To Create 'Blue Alerts'

Rolls Back To Pre-2015 Rules

The FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) voted along party lines today (12/14) to repeal net neutrality protections.There was a 10-15 minute blackout during the Net Neutrality introduction from Chair AJIT PAI, who only mentioned some sort of security issue when things started up again. The room was cleared during the blackout.

“We are helping consumers and promoting competition,” PAI said before the vote. “Broadband providers will have more incentive to build networks, especially to underserved areas.”

“I dissent, because I am among the millions outraged,” said Democratic Commissioner MIGNON CLYBURN, one of two who voted against the action. “Outraged, because the FCC pulls its own teeth, abdicating responsibility to protect the nation’s broadband consumers.”

CNN provides background: "The rules, approved by the FCC in 2015, were intended to keep the internet open and fair. Internet service providers like COMCAST and VERIZON were explicitly prohibited from speeding up or slowing down traffic from specific websites and apps. Under the new proposal, the FCC would do away with rules barring internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to online content. The FCC would also eliminate a rule barring providers from prioritizing their own content."

PAI is an longtime critic of net neutrality rules. Last month, he was quoted as saying the repeal would stop the federal government from "micromanaging the internet." The telecom industry supports PAI's plan, while numerous technology companies and consumer advocacy groups are lined up against it.

Blue Alerts

During the same meeting, the FCC voted unanimously to pass the creation of "Blue Alerts." The new alert is similar to existing codes for weather and other emergencies, but adds a dedicated event code to notify the public of ongoing threats to law enforcement in their area through broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline video outlets.

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