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From internet “Openness” to “Freedom”: How far has the net neutrality pendulum swung?

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  • Koning, Kendall J.
  • Yankelevich, Aleksandr

Abstract

We examine the extent to which the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 2015 “Open Internet” and 2018 “Restoring Internet Freedom” orders constrain anti-competitive and discriminatory pricing. We show that without regulation of interconnection agreements, and by allowing Internet Service Providers to cap bandwidth while also engaging in “zero rating,” the prescriptive regulations promulgated by the FCC in its 2015 order left the door open for both anti-competitive and discriminatory pricing. Conversely, by undoing the Title II underpinning for its 2015 adopted rules, the FCC may bind itself from being able to remedy anti-competitive or discriminatory pricing in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Koning, Kendall J. & Yankelevich, Aleksandr, 2018. "From internet “Openness” to “Freedom”: How far has the net neutrality pendulum swung?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 37-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:54:y:2018:i:c:p:37-45
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2018.07.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Broadband internet service provider; Data caps; Federal communications commission; Interconnection; Internet regulation; Network neutrality; Open internet; Price discrimination; Restoring internet freedom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K23 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • L42 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Vertical Restraints; Resale Price Maintenance; Quantity Discounts
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation

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