FCC Votes 3-2 for Net Neutrality: The Round-Up

The Internet is neutral — for now.

In a landmark 3-2 decision, the FCC voted to re-classify the Internet as a utility, barring providers from blocking or slowing down certain types of traffic. The agency’s vote means that the Internet is no longer considered an “information” service, but a “telecommunications” service, instead.

The decision will almost certainly be challenged in court.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who supported the FCC’s plan, said that the Internet is “too important to let broadband providers be the ones making the rules.”

On the flip side, fellow FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai voted against regulation, and warned, “Consumers should expect their bills to go up and they should expect broadband speeds to slow down going forward.”

There’s been a lot of great writing on Net Neutrality today. So, rather than try to rehash everything, I’d really like to point you to some explainers and some pieces that describe what might happen now that the FCC vote has come and gone.

5 Things You Need to Know About the FCC’s Net Neutrality Plan [PC Mag]

What America’s historic net neutrality rules mean in plain English [Quartz]

What You Need to Know About the Net Neutrality Decision [Bloomberg]

Net neutrality will not create ‘uncertainty’ [Fortune]

And for a little fun…

How John Oliver Transformed the Net Neutrality Debate Once and for All [Bloomberg]

How are you feeling about the today’s FCC decision? Are you in favor of the Internet being reclassified as a utility, or would you rather the government not attempt to regulate the Internet? Drop us a line with your thoughts.