Policy Practicum: Restoring Net Neutrality

Catalog description

In 2017, the FCC eliminated all net neutrality protections and renounced its authority over broadband. That stunning reversal of two decades of FCC policy set off a public firestorm, prompted states like California to step in with their own protections, and led to protracted legal battles. Though the timing is unclear, a new FCC will likely revisit net neutrality with the goal of restoring open internet protections at the federal level. Two of the current four commissioners have said restoring net neutrality is a high priority. Gigi Sohn, a long-time supporter of net neutrality, is the nominee for the fifth seat. Additionally, the European Union's political leadership is promoting a plan to require some online apps to pay broadband providers directly so that their services can be used by those broadband providers' customers. This would reverse decades of precedent and is a direct assault on the EU's net neutrality protections. That means this fall will present a unique window for research and policy papers on net neutrality. Historically, the FCC has given deep consideration to input from citizens, companies, interest groups, and public policy experts. The EU's proposal will also likely have an open public consultation window, where filings from experts will be given great weight. This policy lab gives students the opportunity to participate in these processes, and be trained to become the next generation of net neutrality and telecommunications law experts. Students will have an opportunity to make a lasting mark on real public policy both domestically and internationally. The FCC's and EU's choices are crucial to issues like platform dominance, digital equity, and the digital divide. Students in this policy lab will work alongside Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick, widely considered to be the world's foremost expert on net neutrality. Her work has shaped…