The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) officially passed the controversial Net neutrality rules yesterday with 3-2 votes to preserve the Open Internet.  Surprisingly, all the commissioners appeared totally dissatisfied with the rules and they did not agree that the rules will go far enough.

As already expected, Democratic Chairman Julius Genachowski along with other two Democratic commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps voted in favor of the rules. Whereas, remaining two Republican commissioners, Meredith Attwell Baker and Robert McDowell, voted against the neutrality rules. McDowell said that he was disappointed with FCC and 90 percent of its actions are common and bipartisan.

Both Democrats and Republicans clearly differ on the need of Net neutrality rules. Baker and McDowell says, “FCC’s defeat in a Federal case against Comcast earlier this year clearly results that courts do not find FCC, a legal authority to apply and enforce such rules.”

In the meanwhile, Democrats commented that FCC should consider reclassifying the broadband network traffic to ensure it has the legal authority to apply such rules.

“The order to apply Neutrality rules makes the federal government a formal authority, through the FCC, to regulate Internet traffic, even though it is not a final decision by any means”. Mike Manzo, Chief Marketing Officer (Wireless Supplier) from OpenNet continues to say, “there is substantial opposition, and either Congress or the courts may overrule the regulations”.

Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican from Kentucky) said, “lawmakers would have an opportunity in the new Congress to push back against new rules and regulations.” Even before voting, it was reported that Verizon can consider a lawsuit to protest the orders.

The Net neutrality rules are scheduled to be in effect earlier next year but are not made public till yet.

We posted the news yesterday describing some points of the rules, but still waiting for the complete and final draft of the rules. Now, it is the time to check what will be the effect of the rules on consumers and Internet service providers.

We will keep you posted on the same. Stay tuned!!