Net Fatality
Internet for All at Stake
Internet service providers have always delivered open, unrestricted service that enables consumers to enjoy the web content and applications of their choosing without any blocking, throttling, or interference.
The history of open networks has resulted in America becoming the home of the world’s leading technology companies, which are delivering all kinds of services and experiences that consumers enjoy. The broadband marketplace has exploded with choice and competition from wired and wireless technologies and consumers can choose from a wide variety of fast and affordable offerings.
Broadband Regulation & Net Neutrality
Since the advent of the internet, policymakers from across the political spectrum have recognized the virtues of a light-touch approach to broadband regulation, resulting in over $1 trillion in private capital investment to connect over 95% of America to robust networks. In regulatory parlance, this means that broadband networks are considered an “information service” under Title I of the Communications Act.
But in the last decade despite any proof of harm, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under the guise of “net neutrality,” has twice attempted to impose heavy-handed regulation by reclassifying broadband networks as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act. This reclassification unleashes outdated and destructive regulations that were originally applied to monopoly “Ma Bell” telephone service in the 1930s.
The FCC’s latest attempt to reclassify broadband networks as a “telecommunications service” was in 2024, and this order was immediately appealed for judicial review.
2025 Court Decision Settles Net Neutrality Issue
In January 2025, the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the FCC’s order, declaring that broadband internet access is an “information service” under the proper reading of The Communications Act. This ruling means that any attempt to reclassify broadband networks is prohibited and internet networks will continue to be treated with a light-touch, finally ending the decades-long back-and-forth fight over rules governing broadband.
An Internet Built for All
Broadband providers are delivering consumers an open internet with more competitive choices, faster speeds, and lower prices than ever before.
The cable industry is committed to building out high-speed networks to all corners of the country, ensuring everyone has access to our nation’s opportunity infrastructure.
Internet Regulation Timeline
A timeline of internet regulations from the late 1990s until today.
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1999
July 20, 1999
FCC Chairman Kennard, appointed by President Clinton, establishes a policy of a light regulatory touch for the Internet’s early days.
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2002
March 14, 2002
FCC Chairman Michael Powell classifies broadband internet access as a Title I interstate information service.
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2003
June 5, 2003
Law professor Tim Wu coins the term “net neutrality” in his paper “Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination.”
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2004
February 28, 2004
FCC Chairman Powell introduces “Four Internet Freedoms,” Freedom to (1) access content; (2) run applications; (3) attach devices; (4) obtain service plan information.
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2005
March 3, 2005
The FCC negotiates an agreement with Madison River Communication where Madison River agrees to “refrain from blocking” phone calls.
June 27, 2005
In FCC vs. Brand X, the Supreme Court upholds FCC’s authority to define the classification of broadband as an information service under Title I.
September 23, 2005
FCC reclassifies internet access across the phone network, including DSL, as a Title I information service.
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2008
August 1, 2008
Comcast vs. BitTorrent decision by FCC Chairman Martin – FCC hands Comcast a cease-and-desist order.
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2010
April 6, 2010
U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit dismisses the FCC’s cease and desist order against Comcast.
December 21, 2010
FCC Open Internet Order makes net neutrality rules official FCC regulation for the first time.
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2014
January 14, 2014
In Verizon vs. FCC, DC Circuit rules that as a Title I information service, FCC has no authority to adopt net neutrality regulations.
November 10, 2014
President Obama calls on the FCC to reclassify broadband as Title II.
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2015
February 26, 2015
FCC votes to 3-2 to classify the internet as a public utility under Title II of The Communications Act.
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2019
October 1, 2019
In Mozilla Corp. v. FCC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholds the FCC’s decision to restore Title I classification of broadband and remands some minor issues back to the agency.
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2023
October 19, 2023
The FCC votes to move toward reinstating net neutrality rules and establishing regulatory oversight of the internet.
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2024
April 25, 2024
The FCC votes 3-2 to reinstate net neutrality rules and reclassify the internet under Title II, establishing regulatory oversight of the internet.
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2025
January 2, 2025
The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturns the FCC's 2024 order and declares that broadband internet access is Title I "information service", ending decades of back and forth.
