The Federal Communications Commission is taking a second crack at creating regulations to enforce net neutrality, the principle that all internet traffic — no matter what it is or where it came from — should be treated equally. With its first rules, the 2010 Open Internet Order, struck down in court in early 2014, the FCC has begun to create new regulations based on different legal grounds that it hopes will give it proper authority to enforce them.But those new legal grounds have put net neutrality in jeopardy. Under the updated regulations' allegedly necessary new legal standard, internet service providers will be allowed to let some companies or services access an internet fast lane for a fee so long as they make the deal on "commercially reasonable" terms.What exactly does "commercially reasonable" mean? Well, for now, the FCC doesn't quite know: it suggests it could simply mean giving priority access to a life-saving medical device, but neutrality advocates worry that this will open the door to a much broader tiered internet, where service providers force big companies into paying up for good speeds and leave everyone else stuck in the slow lane.The new rules began circulating the FCC in April 2014 and were approved by an internal vote in May. From there, the new regulations will enter a public comment phase to help the FCC draft its final rules — in particular, it says it wants feedback on what's commercially reasonable and what legal authority it should be using to keep the internet open. It's hoping to have the new rules instated by the end of 2014.
What can Obama really do for net neutrality?
He can help set the agenda, but the FCC and Congress are making the call
Inside Tumblr and the battle for net neutrality
The day the internet sort of, but didn't really, stop
What are Netflix, Tumblr, and others doing for today's net neutrality protest?
The internet slowdown is loading... loading... loading...
The internet is protesting for net neutrality next week
With public comments closing on September 15th, the clock is ticking
FCC pushes back deadline for people to weigh in on net neutrality rules
Five extra days to reply to 1.1 million public comments.
The real battle for net neutrality just began
Revised proposal opens rules for public debate, but the specter of a tiered internet remains
America's biggest internet providers urge FCC not to turn their networks into public utilities
Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, and AT&T all agree, which can't be good news
50 leading tech investors tell the FCC a pay-to-play internet would kill startups
Venture capitalists fear a big chill on innovation
It's time for the FCC to stand up for Americans instead of ruining the internet
Cowardice and capitulation could mess up a vital utility
The wrong words: how the FCC lost net neutrality and could kill the internet
Things are going to get worse before they get better