US court temporarily halts reinstatement of net neutrality rules Author: Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court said on Friday it is temporarily halting the Federal Communications Commission’s reinstatement of landmark net neutrality rules until Aug. 5 to consider legal challenges from the broadband industry.

In April, the FCC voted along party lines to resume regulatory oversight of broadband internet and restore the Open Internet Principles that were repealed in 2017 by then-President Donald Trump.

The rules were originally adopted in 2015 and were set to go back into effect on July 22 until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an order finding that the delay was necessary to “provide sufficient time to consider the merits” of the stay request while the legal proceedings are pending.

The FCC did not comment on the matter Friday.

Net neutrality rules require that ISPs treat internet data and users equally, rather than throttling access, slowing speeds, or blocking content for some users. The rules also prohibit special arrangements in which ISPs provide better network speeds or access for privileged users.

The rules would prohibit internet service providers from blocking or slowing traffic to certain websites or engaging in paid prioritization of lawful content, and would give the FCC new tools to prosecute Chinese telecoms companies and monitor internet outages.

Restoring net neutrality has become a priority for President Joe Biden, who in July 2021 signed an executive order directing the FCC to restore rules adopted in 2015 by President Barack Obama, also a Democrat.

Under the Trump administration, the FCC has argued that net neutrality rules are unnecessary, stifle innovation and result in a decline in network investment by internet service providers, a claim disputed by Democrats.