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Communications Act of 1934
The Communications Act of 1934 created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to regulate the communication industry. -
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Internet legalized for commercial use
Between the late 1980s to early 1990s, the Internet was available for commercial use. -
Internet Use Becomes Mainstream
By the late 1990s to early 2000s, the Internet surged in popularity and usage. Ultimately leading to the use of Internet becoming more common in households and in society. -
Net Neutrality coined
Law Professor Tim Wu coins phrase "Net Neutrality". -
FCC "Network Freedom"
In February 2004, Michael Powell, then Chairman of the FCC, encouraged ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to offer users four freedoms by announcing the principles of "Network Freedom".
1. Freedom to access content
2. Freedom to run applications
3. Freedom to attach devices
4. Freedom to obtain service plan information -
FCC Internet Policy Statement
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association convinced the FCC to adopt four policies laid out in its Internet Policy Statement.
1. Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of their choice;
2. Consumers are entitled to run applications and services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement;
3. Consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network; and
4. Consumers are entitled to competition among providers. -
FCC vs Comcast
The FCC made its first Internet network management decision. The FCC voted 3-to-2 in favor for a Comcast ruling that it had been illegally inhibiting its users of Comcast's high-speed Internet service from using file-sharing software because it throttled the bandwidth available to ensure that its other customers would have adequate bandwidth. This showed the FCC enforcing its regulations. -
FCC creates Open Internet Rules
The Open Internet Rules "established high-level rules requiring transparency and prohibiting blocking and unreasonable discrimination to protect Internet openness." -
FCC establishes Public Knowledge
Public Knowledge is a place where the public could post comments for the FCC to see. It received 1.1 million comments on the first day. "Less than 1% of the comments were clearly opposed to net neutrality." -
FCC Public Knowledge continues
“The FCC's server crashes again as millions more people, companies, and advocacy organizations weigh in on the open internet rules.” -Wilhelm, Alex. "The FCC Received 3.7 Million Net Neutrality Comments". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2017-12-17. -
Title II Net Neutrality Rules
FCC passes Title II Net Neutrality Rules. Allows for the implementation of open internet rules to both wired and wireless internet connections grounded in Title II authority. -
Net Neutrality Rule go into effect
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Ajit Pai becomes new FCC chairman
President Trump names Ajit Pai as the new FCC chairman. -
Ajit Pai announces plans to reverse Title II regulations
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Net Neutrality reversal begins
FCC voted 2-1 to start rolling back the net neutrality regulations. This started a lengthy process in order to modify the existing rules. -
Internet Organizations Oppose Net Neutrality Reversal
Many internet organizations, such as Amazon and Reddit, announce "Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality" on July 12 in a final attempt to convince the Republican-controlled FCC to stop the reversal of net neutrality. -
Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality
The "Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality" occurred, involved many major companies as well as the founder of the Web himself, Tim Berners-Lee. -
Ajit Pai Seeks to Repeal Net Neutrality
Ajit Pai reveals plans to completely repeal the net neutrality policy. A FFC vote for this repeal is scheduled for December 14, 2017. -
FCC Votes in Favor of Repeal
FCC votes 3-2 in favor of repealing Title II regulations. -
"Restoring Internet Freedom" Obstructs Repeal
The "Restoring Internet Freedom" ruling published in the Federal Register allowing opponents of the FCC's decision 60 legislative days to stop it under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). -
US Senate Votes to Slow Down Repeal Process
United States Senate passes the CRA resolution with a 52-47 vote for an attempt to stop the repeal from proceeding. -
FCC Repeal Wins
United States House of Representatives failed to act under the CRA, resulting in the completion of the FCC's repeal of net neutrality.
