Net Neutrality Clears Judicial Hurdle

The DC Circuit issued a decision today broadly upholding the FCC's net neutrality rules. Those rules defined internet service providers (ISPs) as utilities, subjecting them to the same high level of regulation as landline telephone companies. The rules in question require ISPs to treat all content equally as it passes through their pipes to consumers. The ruling also opens the door to further regulation of ISPs, on privacy issues, for example.

The decision was hailed by consumer advocacy groups, as well content providers such as Netflix. The story isn't quite over yet, however. The cable and telcom industry continues to oppose the rules, and AT&T has announced its intention to take this to the Supreme Court.