Net Neutrality Lives For Another Day As Senate Votes Against FCC Repeal

By TJ Denzer ·

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the Federal Communications Commission were dealt a blow in their agenda to repeal Net Neutrality protections today as the US Senate voted to keep the protections of Net Neutrality in place for the time being.

Net Neutrality Lives For Another Day As Senate Votes Against FCC Repeal

One of the biggest debates in recent politics has been over the matter of Net Neutrality, the protections of which the Federal Communications Commission and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai attempted to repeal in December of 2017. That agenda was struck a blow today as the US Senate voted to safeguard the protections offered by Net Neutrality for the time being until new legislation is presented.

As first reported by Gizmodo, the vote came to a close 52-47 simple majority conclusion on Wednesday May 15, 2018. Originally, Ajit Pai had confirmed that the repeal of Net Neutrality would go into effect on June 11, but Democrats in the Senate utilize the Congresional Review Act to review new regulations by federal agencies. The vote came with GOP senators Joe Kennedy, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski voting in favor of Net Neutrality. The vote will now go to the House of Representatives for the ongoing battle over the protection or removal of Net Neutrality rules.

Ajit Pai has been a central spokesperson and face of the FCC in the agenda against Net Neutrality protections, including being involved in an anti-Net Neutrality
Ajit Pai has been a central spokesperson and face of the FCC in the agenda against Net Neutrality protections, including being involved in an anti-Net Neutrality "PSA" which drew overwhelmingly negative response in December 2017. [Image via Daily Caller]

The subject of Net Neutrality has been one that affects pretty much every corner of online use with regards to financial practices, goods and services offered, and particular services and customers favored over others. While opponents of Net Neutrality have argued that it blocks the ability of companies to invest freely in networks and evolution of online communications technology, supporters have expressed concern that without being classified as a utility, internet providers could freely create pay gates to various services that were freely and equally available with the protections in place. That includes streaming services like Netflix and online gaming services like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

While the issue is far from resolved, the vote represents a significant moment in the ongoing issue that will ensure Net Neutrality continues to be a strong platform going further into 2018. With January 2019 as the deadline for the next vote and United States primaries coming up in November 2018. Expect that Net Neutrality isn't a subject leaving the table anytime soon.

This isn't the first time games have found themselves in a political fray, as the ESA harshly criticized the World Health Organization for recent efforts in attempting to classify gaming disorder.

[Featured Image By The Verge]