The FCC rules on net neutrality were published on Monday, setting June 12 as the date for them to go into effect.
The FCC, however, is being challenged in court by USTelecom, a group that represents broadband providers in the U.S. Members include the likes of AT&T and Verizon, and the challenge calls for the net neutrality rules to be blocked.
"Reclassifying broadband Internet access as a public utility reverses decades of established legal precedent at the FCC and upheld by the Supreme Court," said USTelecom president Walter McCormick. "History has shown that common carrier regulation slows innovation, chills investment, and leads to increased costs on consumers."
The rules around net neutrality essentially prevent broadband providers from being able to impose rates for different web content and from making deals with online content providers to provide smoother and faster content delivery. The rules were first approved in February and were then published online on March 12, and they heavily regulate broadband providers, something that these providers are not, of course, big fans of.
Broadband providers, for example, suggest that the new rules will allow the FCC to impose rates and tariffs that could eventually lead to higher rates for consumers. They also argue that the rules could stifle innovation, discouraging providers from building new and improved networks.
The FCC voted 3-2 in favor of these rules following intense debate and media scrutiny. The issue has been polarizing, with most consumers arguing for the rules and most broadband providers arguing against them.
Despite the legal challenges, the FCC says that the rules will likely hold up in court.
"We are confident the FCC's new Open Internet rules will be upheld by the courts, ensuring enforceable protections for consumers and innovators online," stated the FCC.
If, however, the challenges are able to stand, they could block the FCC's proposed rules from taking effect for a while. It is largely expected that more lawsuits will follow this one, and will likely be put forth in the next few days.
Legal challenges against the FCC were to be expected, with a number of broadband providers even saying outright that they would sue the FCC if the rules were put into effect. Only time will tell just what effect these legal challenges have on the FCC and the FCC's proposed rules, but many consumers may be frustrated with the fact that broadband providers are suing the commission.
