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Policy & Regulation

Net Neutrality

The principle that internet service providers must treat all internet traffic equally, without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain websites or services.

What It Means

Net neutrality was codified in the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order, which classified ISPs as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act. The rule was repealed in 2017 under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The FCC voted to restore net neutrality rules in 2024, though legal challenges remain. Several states, including California, have enacted their own net neutrality laws. The debate centers on whether ISPs should be able to create "fast lanes" for services that pay more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Net Neutrality" mean?

The principle that internet service providers must treat all internet traffic equally, without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain websites or services.

Why does Net Neutrality matter for internet quality?

Net neutrality was codified in the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order, which classified ISPs as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act. The rule was repealed in 2017 under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The FCC voted to restore net neutrality rules in 2024, though legal challenges remain. Seve...

Related Terms

Broadband
High-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up. The FCC defines broadband as a minimum of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload as of 2024.
Digital Divide
The gap between communities with access to fast, reliable, affordable internet and those without. Disproportionately affects rural, low-income, and tribal areas.
BEAD Program
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program — a $42.5 billion federal initiative to expand broadband access to underserved and unserved areas across all 50 states.
FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC)
The FCC's address-level broadband availability database that replaced the older Form 477 system. Collects data from every ISP twice a year covering over 116 million locations.

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About This Data

Definitions based on FCC standards, industry specifications, and federal broadband policy. Speed benchmarks reflect 2024 FCC standards. See our methodology.