The FCC has released its "Restoring Internet Freedom" order, adopted on Dec. 14. The full text of the Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order is available at http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0104/FCC-17-166A1.pdf.
The order is intended to reverse the 2015 "Open Internet Order" passed under then-Chairman Tom Wheeler. The 2015 order was widely panned by the service provider community because of its utility-style Title II regulatory framework. Current FCC Chairman Ajit Pai opposed the 2015 order when he was a commissioner and issued a notice of proposed rulemaking last May to reverse the 2015 order. The new order is intended to return to the "light touch" regulatory framework that existed prior to 2015, with the addition of Internet service provider (ISP) transparency requirements regarding network management practices, performance and commercial terms of service.
