Is the FCC Dragging Its Feet on Network Neutrality?

The Federal Communications Commission doesn't appear to be any closer to making a decision on network neutrality. The FCC will likely wait to make a final ruling until after its last Open Internet Roundtable on Oct. 7, which will focus on theories of legal authority and basis for creating Open Internet rules.

Sarah Morris, senior policy council for New America's Open Technology Institute, explained that from what she has observed, the FCC is moving “full speed ahead,” noting that the FCC has millions of submissions to sift through. “I don't think the FCC is stalling -- this is just the largest docket in the history of the commission, and it will take some time to get all the pieces right in a final Order,” Morris said. Not everyone feels the sheer number of comments filed on net neutrality is what has the FCC taking its time, however.

Michael Botein, professor of law for New York Law School, pointed out that only a small fraction of the commentary sent to the commission was on point. “Since only 1 percent of the FCC comments actually addressed the neutrality issue -- versus other issues from porn to rates -- how concerned, really, are people with the principle of promoting content through preventing or limiting bidding?” Botein questioned.