A federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacked the legal authority to reinstate key net neutrality regulations, delivering a significant blow to the Biden administration’s efforts to promote an open internet. This decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, concludes a long-standing debate over how internet service providers (ISPs) should handle data and bandwidth access.

The net neutrality rules, originally implemented in 2015 under President Barack Obama, were designed to prevent internet companies from slowing down or blocking websites, thereby ensuring that all users access the same online content without preferential treatment. However, these regulations were repealed during the Trump administration in 2017.

The court’s ruling emphasized that the FCC’s authority to regulate internet providers as utilities has been curtailed, significantly impacting the Biden administration's telecommunications agenda. The decision referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling in the Loper Bright case, which restricted the power of federal agencies to craft rules beyond their statutory authority. “Applying Loper Bright means we can end the FCC’s vacillations,” the judges stated in their opinion.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel condemned the ruling, urging Congress to enact federal legislation to solidify net neutrality principles, emphasizing that “consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair.”

Despite the setback, some states like California and Washington have maintained their own net neutrality laws, which are not affected by the recent decision. Proponents of these rules argue that they are essential for maintaining fair access to online content, while opponents, including incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr, believe the regulations stifle innovation and investment in internet infrastructure.

This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the nationwide struggle over internet regulation and access, as discussions on net neutrality continue without a solid legal framework at the federal level. Advocates for net neutrality face an uphill battle with Republican majority in Congress, making the future of these regulations uncertain.

For more details, see the full articles on Reuters, The Hill, and The Guardian.