Tom Wheeler (Photo : Reuters)
The debate over the regulations about the use of Internet has finally come to an end as the United States Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to finally implement the new set if net neutrality rules.
These new rules stipulate that big internet service providers should equally treat all legal contents within the internet. While some internet activists were happy about the new ruling, big companies providing internet service threatens the FCC with lawsuits.
The FCC's main concern about the use of the internet is the planned "fast lane" proposed by big internet service providers. These so called "fast lanes" can only be used by paying premium prices.
The FCC voted 3-2 in favor of the new net neutrality rules. According to Tech Post, this regulatory shake-up is one of the biggest US telecommunication related regulation to be ever imposed in more than two decades.
The idea of net neutrality is that websites and contents all over the internet should be loaded at the same and equal speed. However, some internet service provider promotes a service called "fast lane" wherein when used will give its users download and upload speed significantly higher than the normal.
After the vote was done, FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler said, "The Internet is too important to allow broadband providers to make the rules. So today after a decade of debate in an open, robust year-long process, we finally have legally sustainable rules to ensure that the Internet stays fast, fair and open.
Under the new rules implemented by the FCC, internet service providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast must act in accordance to the "public interest" when providing internet service including mobile or broadband connection, according to USA Today.
