1. INDYTech

Net neutrality repeal live Q&A – What do you want to know? Let us know

Live Blog

Leave your questions in the comments section, or tweet our correspondent directly

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to repeal Obama-era rules governing net neutrality. The five-person board has voted in favour of ending net neutrality, a decision that could have a huge effect on the way the internet works.

Supporters of net neutrality say the move could open the door for internet service providers (ISPs) to charge customers more and dictate what people use the internet for.

But what is net neutrality? And why does it matter so much? We're taking your questions on the rules and their repeal, and anyone can get involved.

Leave your questions in the comments section below, or send them directly to The Independent's West Coast Correspondent Jeremy B White on Twitter at @JeremyBWhite

Live Updates

A question from @goldmedallist26: 
 
 
I'm going to focus on the second half of this one, which I think gets at the overarching question: how will this affect what you pay for online service?
 
I wouldn't think of it as free services beginning to cost money, because you already pay for an internet connection. It might mean that you pay for it differently, though, since your internet service provider could force you to pay an extra $5 a month to get access to on-demand streaming, for instance.
 
So the fear here is that the internet becomes segregated: that some people can no longer afford fast service, and that isps now have the power to advantage certain content providers over others — like, for example, streaming services they own. You can see why Netflix wouldn't be happy about that one.
 
 
A question from Bryan Hansen: 
 
This is to be seen, of course, but for now the prospects are dim.
 
Democrats in both the Senate and the House have said they'll submit Congressional Review Act resolutions, which allow the legislative branch to overturn new regulations, but so far most of the opposition to this has come from Democrats. There have been some Republicans who have joined in, and some who say Congress should be settling this issue rather than deferring to the agencies.
 
But a couple things to keep in mind: the Trump administration backs this. And the argument for ending the 2015 net neutrality regulations is essentially an extension of conservative thought: less regulation means companies have more freedom (and money) to invest in consumers, and the free market — which already produced the glories of the internet — innovates best when unfettered.
 
All that being said, the FCC is essentially a partisan body because the President appoints members (though they require Senate confirmation). So we could be back here under a new administration, particularly if Congress does not act.
 
 
 

Hey readers! A big day for the internet as the FCC votes, as expected, to eliminate net neutrality regulations. Shoot your questions here!

Immediately after the vote, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he intended to file a legal challenge against the vote. It is unlikely to be the last.

Net neutrality protests – in pictures

Net neutrality protests – in pictures

  • 1/5

    Lindsay Chestnut of Baltimore holds a sign that reads "I like My Internet Like I Like my Country Free & Open" as she protests near the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, where the FCC is scheduled to meet and vote on net neutrality. The vote scheduled today at the FCC, could usher in big changes in how Americans use the internet, a radical departure from more than a decade of federal oversight

    AP

  • 2/5

    Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems.

    Getty Images

  • 3/5

    Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems.

    Getty Images

  • 4/5

    Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems.

    Getty Images

  • 5/5

    Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems.

    Getty Images

 

ISPs greeted the news warmly, but Senator Ed Markey a Democrat from Massachusetts said he would be looking to introduce an act in Congress calling for a review of the FCC decision. he labelled it a "historic mistake".