The FCC already voted to repeal net neutrality protections but they are, technically, still in place. As Congress scrambles for a solution that might preserve them, the actual date of final, effective repeal looms just about two months in the distance though some of the biggest changes are delayed a little further and are as yet unscheduled.

As Ars Technica notes, the date of effective repeal doesn't stem from the day the FCC voted on the matter, December 14th, but rather the day the decision is published in the Federal Register, the official journal that posts rules for government agencies and other notices. The net neutrality repeal was published today, February 22nd, and portions of it will formally take effect 60 days later, April 23rd. There are elements, however, with no set date yet, so the future remains a little hazy for the moment.

In the meantime, challenges mount. The Senate is one vote away from a majority in favor of net neutrality regulation, which would allow the body to pass a Congressional Review Act overturning the FCC's decision and barring the FCC from instituting a similar rule again. But while the Senate may only have to pick up a single vote, the road gets much more difficult from there. Such an act would have to pass the House and the avoid a veto by the President, something that seems unlikely given the Republican party's majority and general anti-regulation stance. All this must also occur within the same 60-day window before April 23rd.

The more practical route for preserving net neutrality likely lies with the states. In January, Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued an executive order placing net neutrality regulations on any internet service provider (ISP) that wants to do business directly with the state. Since then, more than half of U.S. states have taken measures to preserve the overwhelmingly popular regulation within their borders as best they can.

These safeguarding moves are not guaranteed to work, however, and ISPs are busy preparing to challenge the resulting orders and legislation in the courts. But if just one of these methods can hold up to judicial scrutiny, it will serve as a handy template for other states to adopt. For now, April 23rd looms.

H/t Ars Technica



This post has been updated to include that the rules have been published and that a further date for final, complete repeal has yet to be set.



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