Tech industry analysts declare network neutrality dead in Congress

Technology industry watchers say the Republican takeover of the House has sealed the demise of network neutrality legislation and set the stage for a showdown between the Federal Communications Commission and the GOP.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski remains a strong proponent of network neutrality, which would ban Internet service providers from discriminating between content providers. Chairman Genachowski has enough votes on the FCC to move forward with his plan to reclassify broadband as a telecom service and bring it under greater regulation. Reclassifying broadband, however, is likely to draw the ire of House Republicans, who will control the agency's purse strings when they assume power next year. Many of the Tea Party groups who helped propel the GOP to victory in the election have already voiced their opposition to broadband reclassification, arguing network neutrality regulations would be a violation of free speech.