Updated @ 2:00pm, February 4: Earlier today, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler publicly announced that he will submit a proposal this week that reclassifies ISPs as common carriers under Title II. This is just the beginning, but it’s incredibly heartening to see Wheeler change course so drastically in favor of consumers.

Original story

Regulation of the internet has seen countless ups and downs over the last few years, and it sometimes feels like we’re on the brink of losing everything we’ve worked so hard to build. Invasive and overreaching bills like SOPA and PIPA were narrowly avoided in 2012, and last year FCC chairman (and former lobbyist) Tom Wheeler proposed a controversial solution that would effectively give ISPs carte blanche to create pay-for-priority fast lanes. Thankfully, reports have begun to surface this week that indicate that the FCC will instead move to reclassify ISPs as common carriers.

The New York Times is reporting that by Thursday of this week, Wheeler will submit a proposal that reclassifies broadband ISPs as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. After substantial backlash from the public and a gentle prodding from President Obama, it’s no surprise that Wheeler has apparently stepped back from last year’s controversy.

Much ado has been made over the copper and fiberoptic connections between the ISPs and end users, but this proposal might go well beyond that. Potentially, Wheeler’s proposal might attempt to further regulate wireless ISPs and backbone companies as well. That sounds very promising to me, but it’s bound to cause pushback from the internet service industry.

This is definitely cause for celebration, but the fight is far from over. The FCC commissioners won’t vote on the proposal until the 26th, and certain lawmakers are purportedly attempting to kneecap the FCC in this arena. Considering the financial ties that many of our politicians have with companies like Comcast and Verizon, it’s unsurprising to see congress attempt to thwart this relatively straightforward solution.

As always, the best way to make sure your voice is heard is to let our government know that you’re watching their every move. E-mail and call the FCC commissioners, your representative, and your senators. Let them know that you support reclassifying ISPs as common carriers under Title II, and that net neutrality is important to you. You might not have the same kind of influence as the megacorps, but we’ve seen over and over again that making noise makes a difference.

Now read: FCC may kill state restrictions on municipal broadband, force ISP competition

[Image credit: Libby Levi, opensource.com]