Net Neutrality: Back to the Future (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
May 30, 2017 |
| Report Number |
NETBACK |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This Sidebar is the first in a series discussing the Federal Communication Commission's proposal to reclassify
broadband Internet access services and modify or eliminate "net neutrality" regulations. The second Sidebar is
available here.
On May 18, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to seek comment on a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM), captioned, “In the Matter of Restoring Internet Freedom.” The NPRM proposes to reverse the
FCC’s decision in its 2015 Open Internet Order to reclassify broadband Internet access service (BIAS) from an
information service to a telecommunications service under the Communications Act of 1934 (Communications Act).
The NPRM, if adopted, would change the classification of these services for the second time in two years and would
limit the extent of the FCC’s authority to regulate BIAS providers. The proceeding also could alter or eliminate
regulations concerning the management of BIAS (commonly referred to as “net neutrality” regulations).
