Summary
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to reclassify broadband as a public utility. The move to expand government oversight of internet service providers comes after the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision effectively restores so-called net neutrality rules that were first introduced during the Obama administration in 2015 and repealed two years later under President Trump.
Net neutrality advocates dispute the argument that broadband rates dropped when net neutrality went away. Opponents say the net neutrality rules are government overreach and interfere with commerce. The measure passed along party lines, with Democratic commissioners in favor of net neutrality and Republicans opposed. Some telecom companies argue that the FCC is trying to solve a nonexistent problem.
