Roundup: In 3-2 Vote FCC Passes Open Internet/Net Neutrality Proposal

A keyword searchable version of the FCC meeting/vote/press conference should be available via the C-SPAN Video Library soon.
At the moment the entire meeting is available to view online here via C-SPAN.
The open Internet/net neutrality discussion/vote begins at 52:32 in the video. Btw, you can easily create custom clips of the meeting (free) here.
Also online is a news conference with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the FCC Commissioners. It runs about 100 minutes.
We plan to continue to update this post with reports, reactions, and primary documents.
Open Internet Docs
News Release from the FCC: “FCC Adopts Strong, Sustainable Rules to Protect the Open Internet”
Full Text of Prepared Statement by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler
Full Text of Prepared Statement by FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel
Full Text of Prepared Statement by FCC Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn
Media Coverage
FCC Adopts Net-Neutrality Rule Backed by Obama for Internet (via Bloomberg)

“The Internet is too important to allow broadband providers to make the rules,” said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a Democrat appointed by Obama, in comments as the commission prepared to vote in its crowded meeting room in Washington.
The vote “imposes intrusive government regulations that won’t work to solve a problem that doesn’t exist using legal authority the FCC doesn’t have,” said Ajit Pai, a Republican commissioner who campaigned in TV and radio appearances and on social media against the rules.

Read the Complete Article
Obama’s thank you note to net neutrality supporters (via The Hill)
GOP denounces ‘power grab over the Internet’ (via The Hill)
Reactions
From Professional and Trade Associations
Statement from the National Cable Television Association
Statement from CTIA-The Wireless Association
Statement from Consumer Electronics Association
Statement from US Telecom: The Broadband Association
Statement from National Association of Realtors
From Companies
Statement from Charter Communications
Statement from Vonage
From Policy Organizations
Statement From Electronic Frontier Foundation
Statement from Center for Democracy and Technology
Statement from TechAmerica
From Library Organizations
Statement from American Association of Law Librarians (AALL)
Statement from Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
Statement from the American Library Association

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted today to assert the strongest possible open Internet protections—banning paid prioritization and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. The American Library Association (ALA), a longtime network neutrality advocate, applauds this bold step forward in ensuring a fair and open Internet.
“America’s libraries collect, create and disseminate essential information to the public over the Internet, and ensure our users are able to access the Internet and create and distribute their own digital content and applications. Network neutrality is essential to meeting our mission in serving America’s communities,” said ALA President Courtney Young. “Today’s FCC vote in favor of strong, enforceable net neutrality rules is a win for students, creators, researchers and learners of all ages.”
As is usually the case, the final Order language is not yet available, but statements from Chairman Tom Wheeler and fellow Commissioners, as well as an earlier fact sheet on the draft Order, outline several key provisions. The Order:

• Reclassifies “broadband Internet access service”–including both fixed and mobile—as a telecommunications service under Title II.
• Asserts “bright line” rules that ban blocking or throttling of legal content, applications and services; and paid prioritization of some Internet traffic over other traffic.
• Enhances transparency rules regarding network management and practices.
• Distinguishes between the public and private networks.

“After almost a year of robust engagement across the spectrum of stakeholders, the FCC has delivered the rules we need to ensure equitable access to online information, applications and services for all,” said Larra Clark, deputy director for the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy. “ALA worked closely with nearly a dozen library and higher education organizations to develop and advocate for network neutrality principles, and we are pleased the FCC’s new rules appear to align nearly perfectly.”
The FCC vote marks the end of one chapter in a lively debate over the future of the Internet, but it’s unlikely to be the last word on the matter. Yesterday the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing to discuss the issue, and several Internet service providers (ISPs) have signaled they will challenge the rules in court. ALA, working with our allies, will continue our engagement to maintain net neutrality.
“On the eve of the FCC’s vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee provided a preview of the challenges ahead in defending the open Internet,” said Kevin Maher, assistant director of the ALA Office of Government Relations. “Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) argued that the Order may lead to future regulation while not protecting consumers, while ranking member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) countered that the Order, in fact, guarantees an open Internet.”

FCC Votes to Permit Municipal BroadbandAt today’s FCC meeting (before the open Internet discussion) the commission passed a rule allowing the Electronic Power Board (a public utility in Chattanooga) to expand gigabit Internet beyond the city. More here and here.
See Also: FCC overturns state laws limiting municipal broadband (via PC World)

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