Rumored network neutrality approach might break the Internet instead of saving it

[Commentary] If current leaks are correct, the Federal Communications Commission may be on the brink of not only undermining hope for strong, enforceable and legally sound network neutrality rules, but may also be taking steps that would ultimately disrupt the very principles that have governed the way the Internet has always worked.

We are fundamentally concerned about the collateral effects that a sender-side approach to network neutrality might have on the future of the Internet ecosystem. Recognizing a relationship between senders of traffic and last-mile broadband providers for the sole purpose of imposing network neutrality rules would recognize new privity among all websites around the world and all retail Internet access providers in the United States, making every website and content "sender" around the world a customer of every broadband provider in the US. There has never been this type of legally recognized relationship among all websites and broadband providers. Reclassification of retail broadband access as a Title II service remains the surest, clearest path forward for strong network neutrality protections, and it's the solution that millions of Americans have called on the FCC to implement.

[Morris is senior policy counsel for the Open Technology Institute at the New America Foundation]