FCC/NET NEUTRALITY: “Regulators began dismantling Obama-era net neutrality rules with a vote on Thursday [5-18-17], opening the way to fewer restrictions on broadband providers and raising web companies’ fears they’ll face barriers to reaching customers.
The Federal Communications Commission in a 2-1 Republican-led vote gave preliminary approval to Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to replace rules passed in 2015 by Democrats. Pai wants to remove strong legal authority that critics say over-regulates telephone and cable providers, and that defenders say is needed to enforce fair treatment of web traffic.
The action begins months of consideration leading to a second, conclusive vote.”
-Todd Sheilds, “Divided U.S. FCC Votes to Begin Net Neutrality Rule Rollback,” Bloomberg, May 18, 2017 9:10am