FCC votes 3-2 to repeal net neutrality

As expected, federal regulators voted Thursday to eliminate a two-year old rule that classified internet access as a basic utility. The vote passed the commission in a 3-2, party-line vote, with Republicans voting for the repeal and Democrats voting against it.

Under the new order, broadband internet will no longer be classified as a Title II service and the added regulations that go along with that classification will be removed. Internet service providers will be free to practice blocking, throttling and paid prioritization as long as they disclose those practices as per a new transparency requirement.

So Comcast, for instance, could charge customers who use Netflix extra for using so much bandwidth or AT&T could, in theory, decide to block access to some websites entirely.

The move to deregulate the telecom and cable industry is a major setback for tech companies, consumer groups and Democrats who lobbied heavily against the decision. And it marks a significant victory for Republicans who vowed to roll back the efforts of the prior administration, despite a recent survey showing that 83 percent of Americans — including 3 out of 4 Republicans — opposed the plan.

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