The FCC Wants to Ensure Net Neutrality, But the Fight Isn't Over Yet

Back in May 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its plan to vote on Net Neutrality following years of public concern. Advocates called on the FCC to reclassify ISPs at Title II telecommunications service providers under the Telecommunications Act, but the initial Notice of Proposed Rulemaking gave little indication as to which team the FCC sided with: an open internet, or a throttled one. Today, those who do things like stream music, movies or watch THUMP videos on YouTube recieved much-needed positive news. Net Neutrality, the idea that all data should be treated equally, will be backed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

This week, in a written statement, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler explained that the FCC would be supporting Net Neutrality for both home and mobile data in order "to preserve the internet as an open platform for innovation and free expression." Data, like electricity, should be classified as a utility. Not bad coming from a man that John Oliver once described as "a dingo."

Netflix's immensely public feud with Comcast is the go-to example of how ISPs planned to abuse the Internet should Net Neutrality fail. Late in 2013, Comcast slashed Netflix's download speeds and demanded that they pay up in order to deliver content to their customers. It doesn't take a Ph.D in mathematics to understand the below graph. Ultimately, Netflix was forced to pay up, and if the ISPs had their way it wouldn't be the only company to do so.

Companies like SoundCloud, Dropbox, or Spotify—services we all rely on to create, enjoy, and share music—would be affected too. Wheeler's commitment to supporting Net Neutrality is an unprecedented blow to the nefarious plans of ISPs. But as uplifting as they are, Wheeler's comments alone are hardly binding nor are they assurance of a free and open internet. To be very clear: There is still cause for concern.

Current predictions of the FCC's February 26 vote estimate that the measure will pass three to two, but predicting votes in Washington is an uncertain game. What is certain, however, is that lobbying groups will be attacking DC's and the FCC's power players with full force following Wheeler's statement. Many of those power players are already thinking of ways to undermine the FCC, effectively stripping them of authority to regulate their laws. Then there are the ISPs themselves, who Wheeler acknowledges will sue the FCC regardless of this month's vote.

A momentary victory for Net Neutrality is a victory for the people, but if we've learned anything from corporations who think they're people and crooked politicians who think they're gods, it won't be the last hurdle that a free and open internet has to jump over.

Indeed, the age of throwing dance party protests on Capitol Hill has just begun.

Ziad Ramley is net neutral on Twitter