Barbara van Schewick's blog

The following is the executive summary of an analysis I wrote looking at two bills in the House, both of which purport to restore the net neutrality protections in the 2015 Open Internet Order. Only one actually does so. The full six-page analysis can be downloaded here. (.pdf) Read more about Restoring Net Neutrality Protections: An Analysis of H.R. 1096 vs. H.R. 1644

On Sunday, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 822, the first state-level law that comprehensively restores all of the net neutrality protections of the 2015 Open Internet Order. Read more about Gov. Jerry Brown Signs SB 822, Restoring Net Neutrality to California

The California Senate's Energy and Utilities Committee published its analysis of Senator Scott Wiener's California net neutrality bill on Monday morning. It’s bad. Here’s a short overview of the suggested amendments and a rebuttal of the key arguments related to interconnection and access charges.  Read more about California Senate Committee Recommends Cutting Key Net Neutrality Protections

On Wednesday, Senator Scott Wiener introduced the text of California Senate Bill 822, which would adopt net neutrality protections for California. Read more about SB 822 Would Secure Net Neutrality for California

Today the FCC Commissioners voted 3-2 to eliminate longstanding net neutrality protections, reclassify internet service providers as ‘information services’ under Title I of the Communications Act, and ban states from enacting their own net neutrality protections.  

Here is my statement:

"Today’s FCC vote eliminates all net neutrality protections without a replacement. Read more about FCC’s rushed, technically flawed decision will harm the economy

Today, 126 academics from Europe and around the world published an open letter to European telecom regulators urging them to protect the open Internet in Europe. Regulators are currently working on guidelines that will determine how Europe’s new net neutrality law will be applied in practice. Read more about 126 Leading Academics to Europe’s Telecom Regulators: Protect the Open Internet in Europe

In November 2015, T-Mobile, the nation’s third largest provider of mobile Internet access, launched a new service called Binge On that offers “unlimited” video streaming. T-Mobile customers on qualifying plans can stream video from the 42 providers currently in the program – Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Video, and others – without using their data plans, a practice known as zero-rating. Read more about T-Mobile's Binge On Violates Key Net Neutrality Principles

House Republicans have launched an attack on the FCC’s Open Internet Rules through provisions tucked into a 156-page funding bill that was published by the House Appropriations Committee yesterday and approved by the Financial Services Subcommittee today. Read more about House Appropriations Bill Threatens to Undo Open Internet Rules Through the Backdoor

Today's vote is among the greatest public interest victories in U.S. history. The FCC's strong rules banning blocking, throttling and paid prioritization will help protect innovation, economic growth, and democratic discourse in America. Read more about Historic FCC Vote will Protect the Future of America's Economy and Democracy

This Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to reclassify ISPs like Verizon and Comcast that connect us to the Internet as common carriers and adopt strong net neutrality rules to protect users, innovation, and free speech online. This is great news. Read more about Getting net neutrality right: Four improvements to take us across the finish line

This week, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will circulate a draft of the Open Internet rules to his fellow Commissioners. According to news reports, the Chairman will propose to reclassify Internet access as a “telecommunications service” and adopt network neutrality rules under Title II of the Communications Act. If that is true, this is excellent news and a vital step in the right direction. After the D.C. Circuit’s decision last January, this is the only way to adopt meaningful network neutrality rules that will be upheld in court. The FCC will vote on the proposal on February 26th. Read more about What to look for in this week's network neutrality announcement

After a year of debates on network neutrality, the GOP has finally joined the party. Through a draft bill released this month and congressional hearings last week, Republicans have taken a step in the direction of supporting network neutrality. That’s a good thing, and moves them closer to the existing consensus. Roughly four million Americans submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calling for real network neutrality last year, and polls show that both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly support a ban on fast lanes. Read more about Seven Reasons the New GOP Bill Will Not Give Us Net Neutrality

This morning, President Obama announced his plan to protect the open Internet and urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt strong net neutrality rules based on Title II of the Communications Act. Read more about Sound Policy Based on a Strong Legal Foundation: My Response to President Obama's Net Neutrality Plan