WASHINGTON: Trade groups representing major technology companies and advocacy groups on Friday asked a U.S. appeals court to reconsider its October ruling that largely upheld the 2017 repeal of landmark net neutrality rules.
"The decision presents an issue of exceptional importance, as it affirms the reversal of U.S. policies promoting the open Internet, and the repeal of the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rules," said one of the petitions. "The FCC abdicated its ability to regulate the behaviour of ISPs for the first time in its history. As a consequence, ISPs are permitted to block or throttle Internet access, demand pay-to-play ransom from Internet edge providers, or otherwise interfere with end users’ access to the Internet," the petition said.FCC spokeswoman Tina Pelkey said the agency is confident the court's decision"will stand and that we will continue to have a free and open Internet moving forward.