We speak with Tim Karr, senior director of strategy for Free Press, which is organizing support to keep the Net Neutrality rules in place ahead of the Dec. 14 vote.
So drastic is FCC Chairman Pai's reversal of policy, and so weak is the evidence to support the change, that the plan seems destined to be struck down in court.
Tim Karr, the senior director of strategy at the internet-rights nonprofit Free Press, said Pai’s plan would allow telecom giants like Comcast to prioritize their own websites and properties, like Comcast-owned NBC sites.
Net Neutrality — the principle that ISPs should treat all internet traffic equally, and not create “fast lanes” for certain companies — is considered by advocates to be fundamental to a free and open internet.
The Federal Communications Commission has announced a “total repeal” of Obama-era Net Neutrality rules, a sweeping rejection of Obama-era rules meant to keep the internet a level playing field and prevent companies from charging additional fees for faster internet access.
Federal regulators unveiled a plan Tuesday that would give internet providers broad powers to determine what websites and online services their customers can see and use, and at what cost.
Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission's Trump-appointed chairman, is moving to gut the Net Neutrality rules that progressive activists and a massive online movement successfully pushed for during the Obama administration.
American consumers are used to thinking of their internet service as a public utility, similar to turning on the tap and getting a consistent stream of water.
But those perceptions may soon be challenged by the FCC.
The Department of Justice sued to block the AT&T-Time Warner merger on Monday, warning that the combined company could drive up the cost of channels like HBO, CNN and TBS to rivals and ultimately the price that consumers pay for prized content.