Washington - Federal regulators will once again seek to set rules that make sure US broadband providers do not block or slow down access to any lawful content on the Internet.
The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday it will not appeal a US court decision that last month rejected a previous version of these so-called net neutrality rules largely because of the way the FCC had classified broadband providers.
The court did reaffirm that the commission had authority to regulate broadband access under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the FCC will use that authority to review how it can bring back non-discrimination and no-blocking regulations while complying with the order.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the court invited his agency to preserve a free and open Internet.
“I intend to accept that invitation by proposing rules that will meet the court's test for preventing improper blocking of and discrimination among Internet traffic, ensuring genuine transparency in how Internet Service Providers manage traffic, and enhancing competition,” he said in a statement.
FCC commissioners will now negotiate new rules that would ensure that network operators disclose exactly how they manage Internet traffic and that they do not unfairly limit consumers' ability to surf the Web or use applications.
The FCC is likely to draft new rules for proposal in the late spring or early summer, a senior official said. - Reuters