The new rules aim to establish a legal standard for broadband provider practices to ensure that they do not unreasonably interfere with or disadvantage consumers’ access to the Internet.
At the time of the vote, FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler said the order would establish three “bright line rules”:
- No Blocking: broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.
- No Throttling: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.
- No Paid Prioritization: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind—in other words, no “fast lanes.” This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates. It also prohibits practices that target specific applications or classes of applications.