Last Chance: Deadline to File Net Neutrality Comments Is Tonight

If you lot've procrastinated on making your voice heard in the net neutrality contend, today is your last run a risk (for now). The FCC public comment menstruum on its open net proceeding ends today.

Comments must be received by midnight ET tonight (7 p.m. ET if you lot're filing difficult copies) and tin be submitted hither. Click "Express" to type your comments into the website; select "New Filing" if you lot want to upload a document.

Net Neutrality Comments

Unfortunately, the GOP-led FCC volition probably vote to kill net neutrality rules no affair what the comments say. But these comments are public, so it's worth going on the tape if yous feel strongly nigh the issue.

In May, the FCC voted along party lines to motility ahead with a plan that would dismantle internet neutrality rules put in identify by the Obama assistants. GOP commissioners contend that the cyberspace has flourished just fine without regulation, and that the uncertainy created past net neutrality rules has led to decreased broadband investment.

Democrats like FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn say the GOP is reddish-picking stats, and argue that the rules provide consumers with a means to complain should their ISPs engage in shady practices, like cut off or throttling specific services.

Specifically, the rules would contrary a 2022 decision to reclassify broadband every bit a telecom service rather than an information service, or "Championship II" in D.C. speak for its placement in the Communications Human activity. Title II was intended to give the FCC more legal continuing to regulate broadband providers after previous internet neutrality rules were struck down by the courts. Thus far, that strategy has worked, but with Republicans at present at the helm of the FCC, Championship II is not long for this world.

Ultimately, the best way to accost this is via Congress. With the FCC in command, net neutrality rules are at the mercy of whatever party is in the White House, just Congress tin make it official. Of course, Republicans are now in command of Congress, and they are not fans of net neutrality regulations, so supporters volition take to wait until Democrats are in control of Congress and the White House, if ever, to go annihilation done there. Until then, file those public comments.

Most Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe has led PCMag's news coverage for more than 10 years, editing and writing stories about the innovations that have shaped the final decade and the companies behind them. She besides oversees the site'southward how-to coverage. Earlier joining PCMag.com, Chloe was a reporter roofing tech policy on Capitol Loma for The National Journal's Applied science Daily and financial Information technology for Incisive Media in NYC. She's held internships at NBC's See the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Coil Phone call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor'south degree in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C.