The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has denied requests by major trade groups and broadband providers to delay the new net neutrality rules.
The Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 serves as the basis for the FCC's Internet access regulation rules. The commission intends to deploy "light-touch" guidelines that monitor the Internet. The FCC is of the opinion that these regulations will fuel rivalry between network operators.
The FCC approved a set of regulations on Feb. 26. The commission also reclassified broadband as a controlled telecommunication utility. The rules are set to take effect in early May and will impact mobile and wireless carriers, as well as bar ISPs from blocking access of a subscriber to online content, services and devices that do not cause injury to the network.
In lawsuits against the FCC, companies such as CenturyLink have averred that they are challenging FCC's "misguided" order for net neutrality
On May 1, the groups filed the petitions for stay of the 2015 Open Internet Order.
The FCC, however, has denied the two petitions that requested for stay (appealing for delay in the net neutrality regulation) from the American Cable Association, USTelecom, WISPA, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, CenturyLink, Daniel Berninger (founder Voice Communication Exchange Commission) and AT&T.
Berninger petitioned the FCC to delay the net neutrality directive which was approved earlier in February this year from taking effect. The trade groups and broadband providers, on the other hand, were looking to stop the directive that reclassified ISPs. The trade groups requested the FCC to leave net neutrality precincts for throttling, blocking and paid prioritization as is.
The FCC averred that its rejection of the entreaty was based on the fact that consumer protection outside the "bright-line" rules was important.
"Petitioners allege that because they do not seek a stay of the three bright-line open Internet rules, there is not a sufficient threat of harm to others or to the public interest to warrant denial of their stay requests," noted the FCC.
Moreover, the FCC also divulged that the petitioners failed to convince the commission that they would be victorious in the court.
The Telecommunications Industry Association has said that the FCC's decision is disappointing and it rejected "a fair and reasonable request to delay the imposition of sweeping new regulations of the Internet."
Photo Credit: Greg Elin | Flickr
