The easiest way to let major internet providers violate net neutrality principles is not to repeal the work done under President Barack Obama. It's to just not enforce the rules at all.
That's already what Ajit Pai, the new chairman of the FCC, is doing.
The FCC has ended its inquires into three "zero rating" programs, in which wireless companies let consumers visit websites and stream content without counting against data caps.
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon had each been the subject of in inquiry from the FCC into their zero-rating arrangements.
Zero rating deals can be popular among consumers, who might otherwise avoid streaming music or video for fear of eating into data plans. These agreements — which have rapidly become common between the biggest wireless companies and the biggest tech companies — have caused concern for net neutrality advocates who see them as a way for some companies to gain a major advantage over others.
"Today, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is closing its investigation into wireless carriers' free-data offerings," Pai wrote in a statement. "These free-data plans have proven to be popular among consumers, particularly low-income Americans, and have enhanced competition in the wireless marketplace. Going forward, the Federal Communications Commission will not focus on denying Americans free data. Instead, we will concentrate on expanding broadband deployment and encouraging innovative service offerings."
These zero rating deals had come under fire from the previous FCC administration and its chairman, Tom Wheeler.
Wheeler stepped down shortly after the election of Donald Trump. Trump then appointed Pai as FCC chairman, a move widely seen as the first step toward weakening the net neutrality regulations that Wheeler had implemented.
Pai was among the most outspoken critics of the push to enact what become known as "strong net neutrality," in which the FCC designated broadband and wireless internet as a utility. The move allowed the regulator to more aggressively police how internet providers handled traffic on their networks. This change was heavily supported by net neutrality advocates as well as Obama, and strongly opposed by the major internet providers and conservative trade groups.
Wireless, and in particular zero rating, had been seen as one of the top issues for the FCC to confront in the wake of the move. The efforts by Wheeler represented the regulator's first major move to push back against questionable deals.
Now, with the FCC abandoning its inquiries, telecom companies have been given the green light to pursue zero rating deals.
TopicsFCCNet Neutrality
(责任编辑：休閑)
Fiji wins first
Lucky rocket just left Trump's America behindRap group call out publication for using their image in place of 'gang'Yes, Kim Kardashian really did pierce her nails
One of the most controversial power struggles in media comes to a closeAirbnb activates disaster response site for Louisiana flooding
Airbnb has activated its disaster response page following the record-breaking flooding in Louisiana.
...[详细]A Syrian journalist's ordeal after Trump's travel ban
When Donald Trump approved the executive order on the travel ban for seven majority-Muslims countrie
...[详细]Sweden's deputy PM is trolling Trump so hard with this picture
The internet has exploded with memes mocking Donald Trump for signing bills and controversial execut
...[详细]How to secure a smartphone for the tweeter
As President Donald Trump takes office, he has also taken up a new, digital symbol of the presidency
...[详细]There's a big piece of fake chicken stuck to this phone case
If the perfect smartphone case signals a bit about who its owner is, then this silicon fried chicken
...[详细]Black Lives Matter app lets social media users mark themselves 'unsafe' in America
A new social media tool is making it extremely and soberingly clear how racism threatens the safety
...[详细]This Bollywood actor has launched stickers styled on looks from her movies
Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor has done a Kim Kardashian by launching in-app stickers styled after her
...[详细]Another Silicon Valley guy locks down an escape plan
If there's one guy who can feel safe in Trump's America, it may be Peter Thiel. Thiel, a venture cap
...[详细]This app is giving streaming TV news a second try
Watchup, the once-buzzy news video streaming service, is trying its hand again at the news game with
...[详细]The internet's new favorite meme involves top
Twitter has found its new meme of choice, and all it took was one great screengrab and some vaguely
...[详细]Tributes flow after death of former Singapore president S.R. Nathan
The first photos from a revolutionary new weather satellite are gorgeous
