FCC Likely to Delay Network Neutrality Rules Until Next Year

Emerging Federal Communications Commission rules on how broadband Internet providers can treat traffic on their networks are so complicated that they may be delayed until 2015 as the agency works to ensure they are defensible in court and people understand them, according to FCC officials.

The proposal has confounded even experts on the issue, and few people appear to fully understand its implications. As a result, FCC staff lawyers are pushing for more time to fully vet the proposal, especially since Verizon and other providers have made it clear they plan to challenge the rules in court. The final FCC open meeting of the year is scheduled for Dec. 11, and all proposals subject to a vote must be circulated to the other four commissioners at least three weeks prior. That would have given Chairman Wheeler only until Nov. 20 to finish his proposal if he wanted a vote by the end of the year.