Politics

Net Neutrality Will Soon Be History

Net Neutrality
What the FCC rollback means for your Internet

At its Dec. 14 meeting, the FCC plans to roll back the rules that keep all Internet traffic equal. Here’s what the change could mean for the prices and speeds you pay for today.

1 The FCC Moves to Roll Back Net Neutrality

At its Dec. 14 meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to roll back rules put in place by the previous administration insuring that all Internet traffic is treated equally.

2 What Net Neutrality Protects

As Billshark previously reported, net neutrality maintains what the Internet has always been: a free and open-to-all avenue for communication. Net neutrality prevents Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from creating so-called “fast lanes” that provide better service to content creators or web companies that pay extra fees. It also means that ISPs can’t discriminate based on content; for example, slowing your streaming of “House of Cards” because it’s streamed by a video company that competes with your ISP.

In practice net neutrality means that everything you want to access on the Internet, from streaming video to audio, should be just as available to you as to any user of the Internet. Net neutrality also means the ISPs can’t discriminate against start-ups and entrepreneurs, who can’t afford to pay the premium fees to get faster broadband service. Just because you’re not a wealthy corporation shouldn’t mean your Internet traffic suffers.

Another related area of net neutrality is what is known as “zero rating.” With this practice, the ISP offers its customers discounts on a few selected apps and websites, and excludes the rest of the Internet. Thus, according to IT news site ZDNET, “Your ISP, not you, decides what websites and apps and streaming services you can afford.”

3 A Certain Vote and Higher Prices

Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced he would circulate the proposed new rules among the full commission prior to the next month’s vote. Before his appointment by the current administration, Pai was a vocal opponent of net neutrality, which he calls “micromanaging the Internet.” With a 3-2 majority on the FCC backing Pai, the passage of net neutrality rollback is certain.

“This move would likely lead to consumers paying higher prices for the Internet access and speeds they have today,” Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, told the Los Angeles Times.

FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted in favor of net neutrality in 2015, called again for public hearings before the vote, but none have been scheduled.

4 Millions of Comments — and Fake Ones

However, over the past six months there have been millions of comments submitted to the FCC website. In a curious twist, The Washington Post reported last week that possibly hundreds of thousands of those comments were fake.

According to The Post, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, in a letter last week to the FCC, charged that “hundreds of thousands of” submissions may have impersonated New York residents. His investigation, he said, had turned up submissions from dead people, along with those of living residents who claimed their names had been attached to comments they never sent. In another peculiar development in the story, Rosenworcel reported that some 50,000 consumer complaints appear to have disappeared from the agency’s records, The Post reported.

5 Protests, Lobbying, and What Comes Next

Some activists opposing the new rules hope these revelations could spur Congress to delay the vote, but that’s unlikely given that the current majority in Congress is from the same party that favors the rule change. Since the rules are likely to pass, Evan Greer, campaign director for the advocacy group Fight for the Future, told The Post that the furor over fake comments could benefit supporters of the rule in any legal challenge to the new rules.

“It’s all about Congress for right now,” said Greer. “But [the issue of the fake and vanished comments] will absolutely show up in court if we get there.”

Activist groups plan a nationwide protest at Verizon Communications Inc., retail stores on Dec. 7. Verizon—along with T-Mobile, AT&T, and others—is one of the telecom companies which has been lobbying hard to overturn net neutrality. Pai was formerly an attorney for Verizon.

Stay tuned here as Billshark endeavors to keep you abreast of news that impacts you. Meanwhile, let our bill sharks help you swim circles around your service provider to get you the best deal possible.

Share:
Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts
Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FCC planning to do at its Dec. 14 meeting?

At its Dec. 14 meeting, the Federal Communications Commission plans to roll back the net neutrality rules put in place by the previous administration, which insured that all Internet traffic is treated equally. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated the proposed new rules among the full commission before the vote, and with a 3-2 majority backing him, passage of the rollback is considered certain.

What does net neutrality protect for everyday Internet users?

Net neutrality keeps the Internet a free and open avenue for communication. It prevents Internet Service Providers from creating so-called fast lanes for companies that pay extra fees, and it stops ISPs from discriminating based on content or against start-ups that cannot afford premium rates. In practice, everything you access online should be just as available to you as to any other user.

How could the rollback affect the prices and speeds I pay for?

Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, told the Los Angeles Times that the move would likely lead to consumers paying higher prices for the Internet access and speeds they have today. Practices such as fast lanes and zero rating could also let your ISP, rather than you, decide which websites, apps, and streaming services you can afford to use.

Why were millions of FCC comments called into question?

Over six months, millions of comments were submitted to the FCC website, but The Washington Post reported that possibly hundreds of thousands were fake. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman charged that submissions may have impersonated New York residents, including dead people and living residents who never sent them. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also reported that some 50,000 consumer complaints appear to have disappeared from the agency’s records.

Which companies are lobbying against net neutrality, and what can I do?

Verizon, along with T-Mobile, AT&T, and others, is among the telecom companies lobbying hard to overturn net neutrality; Pai was formerly an attorney for Verizon. Activist groups planned a nationwide protest at Verizon retail stores on Dec. 7. Meanwhile, Billshark can help you swim circles around your service provider to get you the best deal possible on your bills.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Estimate My Savings

Net Neutrality Will Soon Be History page context

Net Neutrality Will Soon Be History is a Billshark resource with information and navigation relevant to recurring bills, consumer choices, and savings decisions.

Net neutrality is set to end as the FCC votes to roll back the rules keeping Internet traffic equal. See what it means for your prices and speeds today.

Visitors can use this page to review Billshark information and continue to the route that best matches their savings, support, or account needs.

Billshark publishes this information to help visitors understand monthly expenses, provider choices, and practical next steps.

The page connects visitors with related Billshark resources when they need additional detail or a more specific next step.

At its Dec.

As Billshark previously reported, net neutrality maintains what the Internet has always been: a free and open-to-all avenue for communication.

In practice net neutrality means that everything you want to access on the Internet, from streaming video to audio, should be just as available to you as to any user of the Internet.

Another related area of net neutrality is what is known as “zero rating.”.

Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced he would circulate the proposed new rules among the full commission prior to the next month’s vote.

FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted in favor of net neutrality in 2015, called again for public hearings before the vote, but none have been scheduled.

However, over the past six months there have been millions of comments submitted to the FCC website.

According to The Post, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, in a letter last week to the FCC, charged that “hundreds of thousands of” submissions may have impersonated New York residents.

Some activists opposing the new rules hope these revelations could spur Congress to delay the vote.

“It’s all about Congress for right now,” said Greer.

Activist groups plan a nationwide protest at Verizon Communications Inc., retail stores on Dec.

Stay tuned here as Billshark endeavors to keep you abreast of news that impacts you.

Net neutrality keeps the Internet a free and open avenue for communication.

Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, told the Los Angeles Times that the move would likely lead to consumers paying higher prices for the Internet access and speeds they have today.

Over six months, millions of comments were submitted to the FCC website, but The Washington Post reported that possibly hundreds of thousands were fake.

Verizon, along with T-Mobile, AT&T, and others, is among the telecom companies lobbying hard to overturn net neutrality; Pai was formerly an attorney for Verizon.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 The FCC Moves to Roll Back Net Neutrality.

2 What Net Neutrality Protects.

3 A Certain Vote and Higher Prices.

4 Millions of Comments — and Fake Ones.

5 Protests, Lobbying, and What Comes Next.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the FCC planning to do at its Dec.

What does net neutrality protect for everyday Internet users?.

How could the rollback affect the prices and speeds I pay for?.

Why were millions of FCC comments called into question?.

Which companies are lobbying against net neutrality, and what can I do?.

3 Hidden Verizon Fees That May Surprise.

Will Trump's FCC Chair Neuter Net Neutrality?.

Verizon Wireless Broadband: Fast Home Internet for.

How Net Neutrality Could Affect Your Internet Use.

Net Neutrality: What are Comcast's Intentions?.

Net Neutrality Victory in CA: What to Know.

Net Neutrality: Latest Updates & Impact on Consumers.

22 States Fight for Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom.

3 Free Investing Lessons From Buffett's Big Bet.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About.

All Negotiation Services.

Corporate / Business Billing.

Blog - All Categories.

Wireless 3 Hidden Verizon Fees That May Surprise You Carolyn Depoto · Nov 1, 2018 · 5 min read Read article.

Politics Will Trump's FCC Chair Neuter Net Neutrality?.

News Verizon Wireless Broadband: Fast Home Internet for You Carolyn Depoto · Dec 13, 2017 · 2 min read Read article.

Politics How Net Neutrality Could Affect Your Internet Use Michel Mora · Jan 21, 2019 · 4 min read Read article.

Politics Net Neutrality: What are Comcast's Intentions?.

Politics Net Neutrality Victory in CA: What to Know Steven McKean · Apr 7, 2021 · 4 min read Read article.

News Net Neutrality: Latest Updates & Impact on Consumers Steven McKean · Nov 19, 2018 · 4 min read Read article.

News 22 States Fight for Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom Carolyn Depoto · Jan 17, 2018 · 2 min read Read article.

Savings Tips 3 Free Investing Lessons From Buffett's Big Bet Michel Mora · Nov 24, 2017 · 3 min read Read article.

See more posts for other categories ›.

Estimate My Savings.

College tuition articles.

Entertainment articles.

NerdWallet articles.

Shark Tank articles.

Social media articles.

Uncategorized articles.

Fairpoint bill savings.

Spectrum bill savings.

Terminix bill savings.

This resource helps readers connect a recurring-cost question with the Billshark information that provides the most relevant detail.

Visitors can review the available page sections, compare related topics, and continue to a more specific guide when they need additional context.

Billshark organizes service information and educational resources to make common household-bill decisions easier to research and understand.

The information on this page supports practical questions about providers, subscriptions, account actions, consumer choices, and monthly costs.

Readers can use the navigation and related resources to move from a broad question into focused information that matches their situation.

The page is intended to support informed decisions by pairing concise explanations with paths to deeper Billshark resources.

Relevant links help visitors compare options, understand recurring charges, and identify the next action that fits their current need.

Billshark content is designed to help consumers recognize recurring expenses and consider practical ways to manage them more effectively.

Visitors can return to this resource when they need to compare a new question with earlier information about services, bills, or savings.

The content connects everyday provider and subscription choices with broader guidance about monthly budgeting and household expenses.

Each page section contributes context that helps readers decide whether they need service guidance, account support, or an educational article.

Readers can use the available information to prepare questions, review options, and continue toward a useful next step at their own pace.

Billshark maintains connected resources so visitors can discover related guidance without losing the context of their original question.

The route supports research by making it easier to identify relevant details before choosing a provider, service, subscription, or account action.

Practical consumer information can help visitors understand why recurring charges change and which details are useful to review before responding.

The page brings together information that supports clearer conversations about bills, service choices, recurring expenses, and savings opportunities.

Visitors can use related resources to compare common terms, understand tradeoffs, and find the information that best fits their monthly-cost question.

Billshark guidance focuses on practical consumer decisions and helps readers move from general awareness into a more specific resource when needed.

The resource is part of a broader collection that connects household cost questions with provider information, support materials, and educational content.

Readers can explore the page before taking action, which helps them understand available options and identify the most relevant follow-up information.

The information is organized to support comparison, continued reading, and practical next steps without requiring visitors to search unrelated topics.

Recurring bills often involve provider rules, service terms, subscriptions, or account details, and this resource helps visitors locate useful context.

Visitors can use Billshark resources to build a clearer picture of recurring costs before deciding which service, support path, or guide to open next.

Related guidance helps readers distinguish between broad consumer information and the more detailed page that addresses a specific provider or billing topic.

The page supports a research-first approach by connecting relevant information with the next available resource for deeper explanation.

Billshark publishes resources that help visitors understand recurring expenses, evaluate common choices, and continue toward an appropriate next step.

Readers can compare the page content with linked resources when they want more detail about household bills, subscriptions, services, or account actions.

just hired Billshark to lower their bill.