Net neutrality: What happens now?

With help from John Hendel and Margaret Harding McGill

NET NEUTRALITY: WHAT HAPPENS NOW? “The repeal of net neutrality ushers in a new chapter of the internet that could eventually transform the way Americans communicate, shop and consume information online,” Margaret reports. “The Federal Communications Commission's party-line vote Thursday to dump the Obama-era rules, which required internet service providers to treat all web traffic equally, opens the door for companies like Verizon and AT&T to experiment with new business models free from government regulation.”

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— “ISPs point to an array of possible pro-consumer outcomes like ‘family friendly’ broadband packages that block content not suitable for children, or guaranteed fast speeds for health-related mobile applications,” she writes. “But net neutrality advocates paint an array of troubling scenarios — from smaller websites like the crafts marketplace Etsy and streaming service Vimeo forced to pay tolls to reach consumers, to cable giants like Comcast blocking or slowing disfavored sites while giving priority to their own content.”

LEGAL WAR LOOMS — The ink was barely dry on the net neutrality repeal before Free Press, Public Knowledge and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, along with a slew of state attorneys general, pledged to challenge the FCC in court. “We'll have plenty to say in court about the legal mistakes littered throughout this decision," said Free Press policy director Matt Wood.

TELECOMS PUSH LEGISLATION — ISPs including AT&T, Comcast and Charter welcomed the FCC’s actions while calling on Congress to step into the net neutrality void. “We continue to support a legislative solution and will work with any interested members of Congress to achieve that solution,” wrote Bob Quinn, AT&T’s senior vice president of legislative affairs.

— Republicans have been trying to coax Democrats to the negotiating table on net neutrality for years, but Democrats have resisted, fearing their GOP colleagues want to enshrine weaker protections than what the FCC had. Now that the agency has dumped the rules, however, there are signs of weakening Democratic resolve. Sen. Bill Nelson said immediately following the FCC vote that “Congress needs to fix the mess the FCC has now created with a lasting solution.”

— Two Democrats, Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, are taking a different tack. They plan to introduce resolutions to reverse the FCC’s actions via the Congressional Review Act, though there is zero sign of GOP interest. “It is my hope that as Members hear from outraged constituents, they will reexamine this issue, as they did with SOPA/PIPA, and realize the need for these rules — and for having a cop on the beat to protect and preserve a free and open Internet,” Doyle said.

TECH’S MANY SHADES OF DISAPPOINTMENT — The giants of the tech industry had a variety of (negative) responses to the FCC’s Thursday vote — and differing takes on the way forward. Here’s MT’s rundown of the reactions:

— Reddit: “It seems likely that the FCC’s decision will be challenged in court soon, and we would be supportive of that challenge,” wrote Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.

— Netflix: “This is the beginning of a longer legal battle. Netflix stands w/ innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order,” Netflix tweeted.

— Spotify: General counsel Horacio Gutierrez: “It threatens the open internet and the wave of innovation and opportunity it created. The real legal battle begins today.”

— Oath: “We believe Congress should write legislation that will enshrine strong, enforceable rules; that will protect American consumers and foster innovation and investment; and that will endure,” global public policy head April Boyd wrote.

— Facebook: “We’re ready to work with members of Congress and others to help make the internet free and open for everyone,” pledged COO Sheryl Sandberg.

— Google: “We will work with other net neutrality supporters large and small to promote strong, enforceable protections,” a spokesperson for the search giant said.

— Twitter: The FCC’s vote was a “body blow to innovation and free expression,” Twitter’s public policy team wrote. “We will continue our fight to defend the open Internet and reverse this misguided decision.”

— Amazon: The e-commerce giant said ensuring its customers can enjoy an open internet is a “top priority.” Chief Technology Officer Werner Vogels said the company will continue to work with “peers, partners and customers” on the issue.

— Airbnb: CEO Brian Chesky criticized the FCC’s move as “wrong and disappointing” and said the company would continue to “speak out for net neutrality.”

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING and welcome to Morning Tech, where we’re big fans of “Stranger Things”-inspired holiday decor. Send your tech and telecom tips to lzhou@politico.com and @liszhou. Catch the rest of the team’s contact info after Quick Downloads.

Got an event for MT’s tech calendar? Email us the details at techcalendar@politicopro.com.

[GUIDE TO EXECUTIVE BRANCH] From fully grasping the executive branch’s role in regulations and budgeting to understanding what exactly an executive order is — the executive branch is complex. Whether you want to brush up on all things executive branch or need to quickly explain it to someone, this essential guide has you covered. DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WHITHER THE FCC ECONOMICS OFFICE FCC Chairman Ajit Pai earlier this year pledged to create an Office of Economics and Data, which net neutrality advocates at the time feared would be used to build a case against the open internet rules. But months have passed with nary a mention from the agency. The idea “remains under active study,” Pai told reporters Thursday, saying such reorganization is “obviously a very complicated issue.” Back in June, Pai offered a concrete timeline suggesting he would send a plan to Hill appropriators in the fall.

COOK, KOCH STUMP FOR DREAMERS — Apple CEO Tim Cook joined forces with libertarian billionaire Charles Koch for an op-ed in The Washington Post urging Congress to pass legislation to protect DREAMers. “We are business leaders who sometimes differ on the issues of the day,” the two business titans write. But, they add: “As a matter of both policy and principle, we strongly agree that Congress must act before the end of the year to bring certainty and security to the lives of dreamers.” The joint effort speaks to a phenomenon Nancy recently explored: Koch teaming up with the tech industry on policy issues in Washington.

BILLS, BILLS, BILLS — Pro Tax’s Toby Eckert breaks down the latest iteration of the tax bill. … Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have introduced legislation (S. 2234) that calls on the Federal Trade Commission to help people fend off cyberattacks on internet of things devices.

NEW YEAR, NEW WEBSITE? “The official White House website is getting a facelift — one that could save American taxpayers as much $3 million annually,” The Washington Examiner reports. The White House says maintenance and security-related changes will result in these estimated savings, though the story did not provide details.

SILICON VALLEY MUST-READS —

— Google and Amazon try to make nice: Following a series of high-profile business disputes, the two tech giants appear to be inching toward a compromise, The Verge reports.

— Pishevar leaves VC firm: “Silicon Valley investor Shervin Pishevar, known for his early bet on Uber Technologies Inc, said on Thursday that he would sever ties with his venture capital company, Sherpa Capital, after being accused of sexual misconduct,” Reuters reports.

— Facebook switches up ad strategy: “Next year, Facebook will for the first time start testing six-second ads that appear before certain videos begin playing, people briefed on the strategy said,” The Wall Street Journal reports.

SPOTTED at the NAB Holiday Party: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Lisa McGovern, Eddie Fritts, Joe Di Scipio, Jean Kiddoo, Rebecca Hanson, Amy Schatz, Kelly Cole, Brooks Boliek, Whit Adamson, Joel Kelsey, Markham Erickson, Dick Wiley, Nika Nour, Tim Doyle, Alex Byers, Jeff Joseph, Rob Stoddard, Andy Schwartzman, Mike Balmoris, Margaret Boles, Larry Patrick, Susan Patrick, Alison Nemeth, Jeanine Aversa, Brendan Kelsay, John Lawson, Elizabeth Frazee, Todd Flournoy, Eric Burger, Hank Kilgore, Janice Wise, Angela Giancarlo, and Rosemary Reed.

QUICK DOWNLOADS

What the Disney deal means for Fox News: “As Rupert Murdoch unloads $52.4 billion worth of assets to Disney, one thing is clear: He is doubling down on Fox News,” POLITICO’s Jason Schwartz reports.

Year in memes: The New York Times spotlights five memes including “BBC dad,” which captured popular attention.

Tips, comments, suggestions? Send them along via email to our team: Eric Engleman (eengleman@politico.com, @ericengleman), Angela Greiling Keane (agreilingkeane@politico.com, @agreilingkeane), Nancy Scola (nscola@politico.com, @nancyscola), Margaret Harding McGill (mmcgill@politico.com, @margarethmcgill), Ashley Gold (agold@politico.com, @ashleyrgold), Steven Overly (soverly@politico.com, @stevenoverly), John Hendel (jhendel@politico.com, @JohnHendel) and Li Zhou (lzhou@politico.com, @liszhou)