Net neutrality takes effect today. Here’s how it affects you.

[Commentary] It's official: As of the morning of June 12, the Federal Communications Commission's network neutrality rules became the law of the land when a federal court rebuffed a plea by Internet providers to block the regulation. Here's exactly what they do, and what you can expect:

First things first: Is my Internet experience going to change? No, at least not right away. And that's the point: The government's rules are aimed at ensuring that you can keep getting to the Web sites you want to visit, watching the videos you want to watch and downloading the files you want to keep, all without interference from Internet providers.

What's going to happen in the long term? Well, Internet providers are suing to have the rules overturned. Industry officials predict the court case will go to oral arguments in December or January. If they win, then the FCC is back at square one. If they lose, the rules will stand. But for now, one thing is clear: The government has stronger tools than ever to monitor Internet providers.