FCC’s Wheeler And Net Neutrality: Anatomy Of A Turn-Around

A Politico piece examines how FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the cable and cell phone industries, negotiated a 180-degree shift in his approach to regulating the Internet. It is widely expected that the FCC will propose new net neutrality rules that would regulate the Internet like a utility. and prevent Internet service providers (ISPs) from charging more for higher-speed connections or artificially slowing connection speeds. Originally, Wheeler had championed rules that would have allowed such pay-for-play deals, as long as they were “commercially reasonable,” but outrage from tech companies like Google, grassroots campaigns from Internet activists, and one heavily influential segment on comedian John Oliver’s HBO show led Wheeler to rethink his position.