Title II: Beyond Net Neutrality

Net neutrality protections are essential to advancing digital equity. These rules ensure all internet users have access to content on an equal basis and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of content. In November 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed reinstating net neutrality protections, returning to rules originally adopted in 2015, by establishing broadband internet access service (BIAS) as a Title II telecommunications service.

However, Title II reclassification has implications beyond net neutrality. By reestablishing FCC authority over ISPs, Title II allows the FCC to take greater action on a range of policy issues, including competition, internet user privacy, removing regulatory hurdles to deployment, monitoring network performance and resilience, and ensuring that networks are supporting critical services that increasingly rely on broadband internet like public safety agencies. These are all in addition to net neutrality’s importance to content creators, small businesses, artists, and more.

Join New America’s Open Technology Institute on Thursday, February 8, 10: 00 am - 12:00 pm ET for this in-person event, Title II: Beyond Net Neutrality. We’ll hear panelists discuss why the FCC should restore its authority to hold ISPs accountable by reclassifying broadband as a Title II telecommunications service. In addition to reestablishing net neutrality protections, Title II classification can help the FCC advance user privacy, support public safety measures, and protect equal access to online content.

The event will feature an opening keynote by Ramesh Nagarajan, the Chief Legal Advisor to the Chairwoman at the Federal Communications Commission, followed by a panel discussion featuring:

• Raza Panjwani, Senior Policy Counsel, Open Technology Institute (Moderator)
• Angie Kronenberg, President, Incompas
• Stacey Gray, Senior Director for U.S. Policy, Future of Privacy Forum
• Hooman Hedayati, Senior Strategic Research Associate for Telecommunications Policy, Communications Workers of America
• Kevin Erickson, Director, Future of Music Coalition

For in-person attendance, doors open at 9:30 am ET at New America’s downtown DC offices (740 15th Street, N.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005). The event will also be recorded and streamed online for virtual attendees.

Join the conversation online by following @OTI.