Federal Communications Commission Preserving the Open Internet Proceeding

In 2005, on the same day the FCC re-classified DSL service and effectively reduced the regulatory obligations of DSL providers, the FCC announced its unanimous view that consumers are entitled to certain rights and expectations with respect to their broadband service, including the right to:

  • access the lawful Internet content of their choice;
  • run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement;
  • connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network; and
  • competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers.

On October 22, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to seek public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing principles to safeguard the Internet’s openness. After holding a series of open workshops and reviewing the extensive record of public comments, on December 21, 2010, the Commission adopted the Open Internet R&O, which establishes three high-level rules to preserve the free and open Internet.  The Open Internet R&O became effective on November 20, 2011.

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