After the repeal of net neutrality, no one was really sure how state governments or private companies would react to the changes.
Internet providers welcomed the move as it gave them more flexibility when it comes to charging consumers and fewer government rules to deal with.
The big question now is, what would the major tech companies that depend on customers internet access do to combat the repeal?
The Internet Association To Sue FCC
The major trade group that represents tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix, and Uber announced on Jan. 5 that it will join the legal battle against the Federal Communications Commission for the repeal of net neutrality.
On Thursday night, the FCC released the agency's rewritten rules on what internet service providers are now allowed to do. These new rules allow ISPs to choose the speed of websites and can block them if they so choose.
"The final version of Chairman Pai's rule, as expected, dismantles popular net neutrality protections for consumers. This rule defies the will of a bipartisan majority of Americans and fails to preserve a free and open Internet," said the Internet Association in a statement. "IA intends to act as an intervenor in judicial action against this order and, along with our member companies, will continue our push to restore strong, enforceable net neutrality protections through a legislative solution."
Net Neutrality Repeal Still Not In Effect
The FCC may have already voted to get rid of net neutrality but the rule is still not in effect. To be put into effect, the rule must first be published in the Federal Register, which is still weeks away. To appeal for the rule, it needs to first be put into effect.
On Thursday, the rewritten rules outlined what the FCC hoped to accomplish by abolishing the net neutrality rules.
"We take several actions in this Order to restore Internet freedom," said the FCC in the introduction of the new rules governing the internet. "First, we end utility-style regulation of the Internet in favor of the market-based policies necessary to preserve the future of Internet freedom."
Those on the side of net neutrality argue that instead of restoring "internet freedom," these rules expose consumers. Without the protections provided by net neutrality, ISPs will be able to charge any prices and would be able to throttle service, favoring some websites over others.
On the other side, opponents of net neutrality say that the rules stifle the ISPs with overregulation, adding that the federal government is overreaching and it's not allowed to treat the companies as utilities.
