The FCC’s reintroduction of the net neutrality rule means that all data traffic must be treated equally. Illustration photo: Jacquelyn Martin / AP / NTB
Of NTB | 26.04.2024 02:32:19
Policy: Thursday’s ruling by the FCC is effectively a restoration of a rule first introduced under President Obama in 2015, but repealed two years later after Donald Trump became president.
Net neutrality is a principle that broadband and internet providers must treat all data traffic equally. It prevents, for example, a provider from throttling access to a website or offering faster internet to actors who are willing to pay for it.
The telecoms industry has opposed the re-introduction of the rules and believes it is an undue interference from the authority in matters of business operations.
The decision was made by 3 to 2 votes, and the inspectorate was divided along party political lines. The Democrats in the supervisory board voted for the neutrality rule, while the Republicans voted against.
(© NTB)