Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Appeals Court Strikes Down FCC's Net Neutrality Rules: Ruling Could Give Broadband Providers Room to Charge Content Companies for Faster Speeds

The Wall Street Journal reports:
A federal appeals court on Tuesday opened the way for broadband providers to charge content companies for faster speeds, striking down federal rules that had required equal treatment of Internet traffic.

The ruling threw into turmoil a top priority of the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama administration and suggested that if the FCC wanted to revive its rules, it might have to regulate broadband Internet like it has long regulated phone companies. That kind of tight federal oversight over the fast-changing online world would likely face political headwinds.