Opponents of FCC's net neutrality rules ask court for partial stay

AT&T and other opponents of tough new federal network neutrality regulations asked a federal court on May 13 to halt implementation of the most controversial provision until lawsuits challenging the rules are decided. Telecommunications companies and trade groups said the decision by the Federal Communications Commission in February to classify broadband Internet service as a highly regulated utility will impose "immense burdens and costs" that would not be undone if the agency's order ultimately is overturned in court. "Such relief is necessary to avoid the serious and substantial harms that service providers and consumers alike will bear if the FCC is allowed to subject the modern Internet to this antiquated regulatory regime," said Michael Powell, president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association trade group.

The new regulations, designed to ensure that broadband providers don't discriminate against any legal content flowing through their networks to consumers, are set to take effect June 12. If a stay is not granted, pending lawsuits should be expedited, according to the joint petition the companies and trade groups filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. FCC spokeswoman Kim Hart said the opponents “have not demonstrated that they will suffer irreparable injury if the order takes effect, and the public interest clearly favors” allowing the rules to become effective in June. “We are confident that the court will deny the request for a stay,” she said. AT&T and the NCTA were joined in the stay request by Centurylink, CTIA -- The Wireless Association, the American Cable Association, US Telecom and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.