ISPs Unload Their Case Against Net Neutrality Rules

The United States Telecom Association is suing the Federal Communications Commission over network neutrality, and this week, on behalf of the country's telecom companies, the organization unveiled its case against the commission, arguing the FCC overstepped its authority in reclassifying mobile and fixed line internet service providers as traditional telecommunications providers—a move widely hailed as a victory for network neutrality. The ISPs first filed the suit in April and tried to use the suit to block the FCC's new rules from taking effect in June, but an appeals court denied its request for a stay of the rules pending the outcome of the lawsuit. "By defining the public switched network to reach every device that uses an IP address—everything from mobile phones to cars to refrigerators—the FCC has asserted authority to regulate a massive portion of the entire U.S. Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a spending bill that includes language that would stop the FCC from using its budget to enforce network neutrality rules.