Only Congress Can End the Net Neutrality War

Waiting. That’s the name of the game for those anticipating the DC Circuit’s decision on the Federal Communications Commission's Restoring Internet Freedom order repealing Title II rules for broadband. The case was argued on Feb 1, 2019, so the Court could hand down a ruling any day now. But regardless of whether the decision is uphold or overturn, Americans deserve action on network neutrality from Congress. Statutory permanence for internet openness is the only way to end the ongoing uncertainty shrouding the internet ecosystem due to ever-changing rules. As we await the DC Circuit decision, it’s worth recalling what’s at stake. Only Congress can, at last, bring an end to the longest running and most intense telecommunications debate of the 21 century.

[Rick Boucher was a member of the US House for 28 years and chaired the House Communications Subcommittee. He is honorary chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) and a partner in the Washington DC office of the law firm Sidley Austin.]