Net neutrality rules targeted for repeal

Consumer groups oppose FCC chief’s plan

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday proposed repealing tough net neutrality rules for online traffic, following through on a promise earlier this year to roll back the Obama-era regulations.

The move by Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump, triggered another round in a fight dating to 2003 over whether the government should be involved in assuring the unfettered flow of information on the internet or leave it to market forces.

Eliminating the regulations would allow internet service providers to block access to some websites and charge others for faster delivery of their content to consumers.

Republicans, who now have a 3-2 majority on the FCC, are poised to win this latest battle.

But, like previous net neutrality fights, this one is probably headed to courts, assuming the FCC repeals the rules as expected in a vote on Dec. 14.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet,” Pai said in a written statement.

“Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices so that consumers can buy the service plan that’s best for them and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate,” he said.

The current rules prohibit AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp., Charter Communications Inc. and other internet service providers from blocking websites, slowing connection speeds and charging extra for faster delivery of certain content.

To enforce the rules, the FCC classified broadband as a more highly regulated utilitylike service.

Pai’s two GOP colleagues, Mike O’Rielly and Brendan Carr, are expected to vote for the repeal.

The agency’s two Democrats, who voted to put the current regulations in place in 2014, condemned Pai’s move.

“It would be a big blunder for a slim majority of the FCC to approve these rules and saddle every internet user with the cruel consequences,” said Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. She reiterated a call for public hearings before the vote, but none are scheduled.

Public interest groups and liberal activists have supported the rules and were outraged by Pai’s proposal.

“If the FCC approves this proposal, it would be an enormous loss for consumers,” said Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union.

“Repealing the net neutrality rules would give internet service providers more power and control over the websites we can visit, and it would make it harder for small businesses and innovators to compete online,” he said.

Telecommunications companies and conservatives, which oppose the rules, cheered the proposed repeal.

ETHAN MILLER/GETTY FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says repeal means the government will stop “micromanaging.”