The premise or principle behind net neutrality is that internet service providers enable access to all content and applications independent of the source. The Federal Communications Commission confirmed on Thursday (May 10) that the 2015 US open-internet rules will be eliminated on June 11. According to Reuters, the rules will cease to exist. In addition, providers will be given power over what content consumers can access.

The implementation of net neutrality was a hallmark for former President Barack Obama. As part of Donald Trump's new direction and the new administration is to undo what his predecessor did.

The announcement by the FCC was made back in December 2017 to repeal the rules for net neutrality. What this also does is give providers the ability to slow websites and they can do it as long as they disclose their practices.

A group of states instituted legal proceedings to block the repeal

In light of these new rules, a group of states came together and sued in order to block the rules from taking effect next month.

As reported in the above news release, internet service providers like Comcast Corp and AT&T Inc will enjoy plenty of freedom to control content as they see fit.

On the other hand, large tech companies like Facebook and Alphabet (Google) are opposed to these new measures.

An FCC commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, said that the federal agency had failed to serve and listen to the American people.

It emphasized the FCC was on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law, and on the wrong side of the American people.

While this is scheduled to take effect, a new development has started in the US Senate. In a report by The Hill, Democrats in the Senate announced on Wednesday (May 9) their efforts to vote and restore net neutrality protections.

Democrats explained that the FCC's Chairman, Ajit Pai, under this new direction for access to content, enables protections for large corporations and hurts consumers. The vote is scheduled for the following week to reject the FCC's repeal. As to whether it will succeed it does face hurdles. At the moment there is support from 47 Democrats along with two independents, and one Republican, Senator Susan Collins. It is possible since they believe they have enough votes, to overturn these new rules from taking effect permanently.

Takeaways and final thoughts on net neutrality

Nothing is certain and the vote will take place in the middle of next week. The FCC voted 3-2 to reverse the Obama-era rules, which could slow access and begin charging for certain online content. Will the Democrats succeed in blocking the official repeal of net neutrality?
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