Media Center

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality. Since the repeal, broadband service providers have been free to block, throttle, or create fast lanes and slow lanes by charging websites extra fees to prioritize their content. Since the repeal, there’s been evidence of broadband service providers throttling speeds, degrading video quality, and creating service plans that favor their own services over competitors.

More than 60,000 Americans registered their opposition to the proposed T-Mobile/Sprint merger in a new petition submitted to the FCC on Tuesday by Common Cause, Free Press, Communications Workers of America, Demand Progress Education Fund, and other public interest groups.

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. The bill reverses the repeal of net neutrality by the Trump FCC in December 2017 and restores the framework in the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order. Under the 2015 rules, broadband service providers are prohibited from blocking, throttling, or charging special fees to prioritize certain websites and online content. The 2015 framework also gives the FCC adequate authority to investigate unjust and unreasonable behavior by broadband service providers and act as a cop on the beat in an uncompetitive marketplace.

Today, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate introduced the Save the Internet Act. The bill reverses the reckless and unlawful repeal of net neutrality by the Trump FCC in December 2017 and returns to the framework in the 2015 Open Internet Order. Under the current framework, broadband service providers are free to block, throttle, or create fast lanes and slow lanes by charging extra fees to prioritize certain content. Common Cause welcomes the introduction of the Save the Internet Act to restore strong net neutrality rules.  

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in Mozilla Corp.  v. FCC, the legal challenge to the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of its 2015 Open Internet Order. The FCC’s repeal not only eliminated bright line net neutrality rules of no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization but also removed the agency’s authority over broadband. Now, there is no longer a cop on the beat to oversee the practices of telecommunications and cable companies. Last August, Common Cause filed an amicus brief outlining the harms of repealing net neutrality to our democracy, civic engagement, and civil rights.

“Congratulations to Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr on their confirmation to the FCC. Returning the FCC to full strength with five commissioners will allow the agency to fully address the communications needs of all Americans. We are particularly pleased that Geoffrey Starks can finally take a seat at the agency. At a time when large telecom and media gatekeepers threaten to harm our democracy, we need another strong voice for protecting an open internet, ensuring all Americans have affordable access to broadband, and putting an end to out-of-control media and telecom consolidation.”