2015 Open Internet Order

Definition

The 2015 Open Internet Order was a landmark regulation enacted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure net neutrality by classifying broadband internet as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act. This regulation aimed to prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain content over others, thus maintaining an open and fair internet for all users. The order sought to uphold the principle that all data on the internet should be treated equally.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 2015 Open Internet Order was adopted by a 3-2 vote in February 2015 during Chairman Tom Wheeler's leadership of the FCC.
2. One of the key provisions of the order was to prohibit ISPs from engaging in practices such as paid prioritization, ensuring that all content could be accessed at equal speeds.
3. The order faced significant opposition from major ISPs and various political groups, leading to extensive debates about regulation and free market principles.
4. In 2017, the 2015 Open Internet Order was repealed by the FCC under Chairman Ajit Pai, sparking ongoing discussions and legal battles surrounding net neutrality.
5. The 2015 Open Internet Order marked a critical moment in the ongoing conflict over digital rights and access to information in the United States.

Review Questions

• How did the 2015 Open Internet Order aim to protect net neutrality and what were its primary regulations?
  • The 2015 Open Internet Order aimed to protect net neutrality by classifying broadband internet as a telecommunications service under Title II. This allowed the FCC to impose strict regulations on internet service providers, preventing them from blocking or throttling access to any legal content or applications. The regulations also prohibited paid prioritization, ensuring that all users could access online content without discrimination based on speed or availability.
• Discuss the implications of repealing the 2015 Open Internet Order and how it affected consumers and businesses.
  • The repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order in 2017 led to significant changes in how internet service providers could operate. Without net neutrality protections, ISPs gained more freedom to prioritize certain content or services over others, which could result in slower speeds for non-priority websites. This raised concerns among consumers about access to information and fairness in online competition for businesses, particularly smaller startups that rely on equal access to reach audiences.
• Evaluate the ongoing debates surrounding net neutrality since the repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order and potential future developments.
  • Since the repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order, debates surrounding net neutrality have intensified, with advocates pushing for its reinstatement while opponents argue against government regulation. Various states have attempted to implement their own net neutrality laws, resulting in a patchwork of regulations across the country. Additionally, there have been calls for federal legislation to create uniform standards for internet access. The evolving landscape suggests that net neutrality will remain a contentious issue as technology continues to advance and reshape how people access information online.

Related terms

Net Neutrality: The principle that internet service providers must treat all data on the internet the same and cannot discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, platform, application, or method of communication.

Title II: A section of the Communications Act of 1934 that allows the FCC to regulate telecommunications services, which includes the authority to enforce net neutrality principles.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

An independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.