What Happened to Network Neutrality?

[Commentary] The network neutrality issue is actually far from resolved, despite the Federal Communications Commission's action. In fact, by reaching what was essentially a compromise decision, the FCC set the stage for another round of contention, almost certain litigation, and possibly a move for congressional action to override the FCC.

In the meantime, what the FCC did was adopt rules that do assure access to material on the Internet -- Facebook and YouTube, for example -- without restrictions or extra pricing. But when it comes to wireless providers and mobile devices, the major companies such as Verizon and AT&T now have latitude, which they seem destined eventually to use to create tiers of service that are determined by price or other factors that the companies will determine. While the Internet is approaching universal usage, Wi-Fi and mobile technologies are evolving into the fastest growing sectors of communications. What the FCC has done is create a major administrative loophole that enables the providers to determine how those technologies will work -- although it does require them to be more transparent in explaining their decisions as they are made.

The Obama administration's commitment to net neutrality -- the broadest possible access for the public to technology across all platforms -- has been significantly weakened in many respects by the FCC decision to split the Internet and wireless regulation. But rest assured that, whatever the FCC has done so far, the issues are not finally resolved.