Verizon challenges FCC’s new Internet rules
Verizon Communications took the Federal Communications Commission to court on Thursday over its new Internet traffic rules, arguing the regulator had overstepped its authority.
The filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia fulfilled the predictions of many industry analysts that the FCC’s split vote last month to impose the rules would be swiftly challenged.
Medley Global Advisors analyst Jeffrey Silva said there was a “reasonable chance” the court would strike down the rules that prevent network operators from blocking lawful content but still let them ration access to their networks.
At stake is ensuring consumer access to content such as huge movie files while letting Internet providers manage their networks to prevent congestion.
The same court ruled last year that the FCC lacked the authority to stop Comcast Corp from blocking bandwidth-hogging applications on its broadband network, spurring the agency’s most recent rulemaking effort.