Does Trump’s FCC Chair Ajit Pai Want To End Net Neutrality, Or Is This Another Media Hit Job?

Most people would remember the heated debate surrounding net neutrality and the strong support the idea garnered across the board in the last few years. The argument in favour of net neutrality was simple: let the internet be the same for everyone on it. The entry of products, services and content on the web shouldn’t be allowed or restricted based on the source or the will of internet service providers.

Net neutrality found legal protection in the United States under former president Barack Obama. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during his term passed regulations to create a level-playing field for internet companies. And it has been enjoying a good run. But in light of US President Donald Trump’s pick for new FCC chair, this run may soon come to an end. At least several sections of the media seem to think so.

Trump has nominated Indian American Ajit Pai for the top job at the FCC. Part of the five-member FCC panel during Obama’s term, he was on the minority side of the vote a couple of years ago, opposing the introduction of rules to ensure net neutrality. He also didn’t hold back from making his opposition loud and clear, thereafter, writing,

According to a Vox report, Pai also complained in a December speech about the excessive “regulatory underbrush” at the FCC, and vowed to “remove those rules that are holding back investment, innovation, and job creation.”

Naturally, if one were to make a good guess, it would be that Pai’s list of things to do will involve repealing the regulation and letting the internet fly. But is Pai really the enemy of net neutrality as he’s being portrayed by the media to be?

Larry Downes writes for Forbes that Pai’s appointment is very good news for the internet ecosystem. He says Pai will bat for “light-touch regulation”, which has served the internet very well thus far given the extent of innovation on the web.

Clearing the misconception, Downes also writes that Pai has consistently supported the basic principles of net neutrality. What he was opposed to was the process as well as the intervention by the White House in the matter, and the classification of internet broadband services as public utility. This is different from being opposed to the idea of a free and open internet itself.

It seems clear that we may be going overboard with all the crazy doomsday predictions for net neutrality with Pai’s appointment, especially since he has never really opposed the basic tenets of the idea of a free and open internet.

What, then, about the future of net neutrality? Frankly, only time will tell, as we see Pai navigating the internet spectrum as FCC chair. Till then, taking a step back from the over-the-top claims may be the wiser thing to do.