The Internet will remain a free utility, FCC decided

Makayla Tendall

The internet will remain neutral and open, the Federal Communications Commission determined Thursday in a 3-2 vote. 

The FCC voted to create new net neutrality rules that went to ensure the Internet providers around the nation will treat all legal content the same. This means users will have access to all legal web content.

Internet providers will not be able to favor or block some sites, either. Providers will not be able to charge content creators for faster delivery of their content, in “fast lanes.”

“No one should control free and open access to the Internet,” said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, according to USA Today. “It’s the most powerful and pervasive platform on the planet. The internet is too important to allow broadband providers to make the rules.”

Internet providers will still be able to raise their prices for service in the future as technology develops and they can provide higher speeds to customers. However, the FCC aims to keep access neutral so providers could not favor some sites and block others.