The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to restore the net neutrality rules and re-establish authority over broadband internet, which was rescinded under former President Donald Trump. “Net neutrality” refers to the idea that internet service providers should allow access to all applications and content, no matter what the source, and refrain from blocking or favoring particular websites or products.
The commission also said it would use its authority to prohibit the U.S. units of China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom from continuing to offer broadband internet access services in America.
President Biden has made restoring net neutrality rules a priority for his administration. In July 2021, he signed an executive order that encourages the FCC to reinstate the regulations that were put into place under former President Obama. The Trump administration said that the rules were unnecessary, caused a decline in network investment by ISP and blocked innovation.
The FCC “believes every consumer deserves internet access that is fast, open, and fair,” said Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. “The last FCC threw this authority away and decided broadband needed no supervision.”
