Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Thursday led the board in pushing forward Democrats’ long-awaited agenda.
The commission voted 3-2 along party lines to begin a process to reinstate Obama-era net neutrality laws.
In reestablishing the rules, the FCC would have more ability to regulate the internet by preventing broadband providers from engaging in harmful practices to consumers, such as blocking, throttling and paid prioritization.
It would reestablish the framework the FCC adopted in 2015, which was repealed in 2018 under the Trump administration.
Rosenworcel said the need for protections was underscored by the pandemic, which pushed more aspects of work and personal life online.
“In the wake of the pandemic, we know that broadband is a necessity, not a luxury. That’s why we made a historic commitment to connecting all of us to broadband. Now we have work to do to make sure that it’s fast, open and fair,” Rosenworcel said.
The two Republican commissioners, Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington, voted in opposition.
Background:
During Thursday’s meeting, the FCC’s Democratic majority also voted to advance a proposal that aims to expand subsidized Wi-Fi access on school buses.
The vote was also split along party lines, with the two Republicans breaking from the Democratic majority.
Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.
