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Net Neutrality Rules Take Effect

Last Updated on April 22, 2021, 1:44 pm ET

On Friday, June 12, 2015, the FCC’s Open Internet Order, rules governing net neutrality, went into effect.  The FCC published its rules in the Federal Register on April 13, 2015 which reclassified broadband Internet as a common carrier under Title II, thus ensuring that the Internet cannot be divided into “fast lanes” and “slow lanes.”  The rules ban blocking, throttling and paid prioritization.  It also prohibits unreasonable interference with an the ability to select and access lawful content, applications and services.

Although broadband providers that have sued over the Open Internet Order requested to “stay” the Order and prevent the FCC’s net neutrality rules from taking effect until after litigation concludes, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied this request.  The denial of the stay request allows the FCC’s Order to take effect and helps preserve the open character of the Internet.

The D.C. Circuit also ruled that the lawsuit should be heard in expedited fashion, which means that oral arguments could be heard by the end of the year.

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