US politicians Senator Edward J. Markey, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Doris Matsui have introduced the ‘Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act’, as they seek to classify broadband access as a ‘telecommunications service’ under Title II of the Communications Act, giving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the appropriate authority to reinstate net neutrality protections.
Senator Markey commented: ‘The Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act reflects the undeniable fact that today, broadband is not a luxury. It is essential. That means the potential harms that internet users face without strong net neutrality protections and without the FCC able to exercise its proper authority are more sweeping than ever. My legislation would reverse the damaging approach adopted by the Trump FCC, which left broadband access unregulated, and consumers unprotected. It would give the FCC the tools it needs to protect the free and open internet, creating a just broadband future for everyone in our country. I thank my partners for their support for this critical legislation.’
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in December 2017 the FCC voted in favour of repealing Net Neutrality rules. The plan was approved following a 3-2 vote – split along Republican-Democrat party lines. As such, the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order took effect on 11 June 2018, scrapping the Title II rules and reverting internet services to their Title I ‘information service’ status.