Days before the FCC is set to vote on a new set of rules governing the internet proposed by Chairman Tom Wheeler, the Republican Party has conceded the debate on net neutrality.
Although the Federal Communications Commission is expected to accept Wheeler's proposal on Thursday Feb 26, the Republican Party has already admitted that, for now, they may have lost the fight over internet governance to President Obama and a horde of internet activists, reported the New York Times.
It may be remembered that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed a new set of rules upholding net neutrality earlier this month. The rules, as previously reported, will classify internet service under Title II, which will make it a public utility and thus, put it under government control, as opposed to being governed by private corporations.
Technical details are still being worked out between the two FCC commissioners, both of whom are democrats, but it is widely expected that they will side with Wheeler, who is also a democrat. This is in opposition to the remaining two commissioners, who are both Republican.
The Republicans have stated that they are unlikely to pass a legislative move that would undo what is perhaps the most monumental shift in policy involving the internet. They have also stated that the issue "needs to have bipartisan support."
Although the concession represents a significant victory for proponents of Net Neutrality, it should be noted that the rules are expected to face a number of legal battles, as the private corporations and internet service providers that will be affected by the FCC ruling have threatened to file lawsuits blocking the legislation.