New net neutrality rules went into effect today, after a federal court denied the telecom industry's request for a stay of the regulations.
In a statement published by Reuters, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said that "petitioners have not satisfied the stringent requirements" needed for a delay, like proving that the rules would create "irreparable harm" if put in place.
"We are gratified that the Court agrees with the Commission's balanced, market-based approach to freeing up more valuable spectrum for innovative wireless broadband services," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement.
That doesn't mean the end of court proceedings, though. A lawsuit brought in March by a group of broadband providers will move forward; in fact, the appeals court put the case on an expedited schedule. According to The Washington Post, oral arguments could be heard as early as December.
Approved in February, the rules regulate broadband as a telecom service rather than an information service—an approach known as Title II. That gives the FCC more authority over ISPs, which have been pushing back against FCC intervention for years.
"This is a huge victory for Internet consumers and innovators," Wheeler said in a separate statement. "Starting Friday, there will be a referee on the field to keep the Internet fast, fair, and open. Blocking, throttling, pay-for-priority fast lanes and other efforts to come between consumers and the Internet are now things of the past."
"The rules also give broadband providers the certainty and economic incentive to build fast and competitive broadband networks," Wheeler added.
Consumers should notice little change; the new rules are meant mostly to preserve the status quo. However, if you believe your ISP has violated the tenets of net neutrality, you can file a complaint with the FCC. The agency will evaluate any net neutrality complaints on a case-by-case basis, and take action if it sees fit.
Last month, the FCC also declined to delay implementation of its rules, as requested by the U.S. Telecom Association.