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Communications Act of 1934
Congress passes the Communications Act of 1934, granting the FCC broad authority to regulate interstate and foreign communications. -
The Telecommunications Act of 1996
Congress passes The Telecommunications Act of 1996, which amends the Communications Act by re-categorizing the types of services that are subjet to regulations. -
FCC Brand X Decision
The FCC issues a Declaratory Ruling, which concludes that cable broadband is an "information service," and thus not subject to the 'common carrier' obligations under the Communications Act of 1934. -
"Net Neutrality" Coined
Media law professor, Tim Wu, first uses the term in a published and popularized proposal for a net neutrality rule. -
FCC Chairman, Michael Powell, Defends Internet Freedom
FCC Chairman Michael Powell gives a speech in Colorado called “Preserving Internet Freedom: Guiding Principles for the Industry,” outlining the idea of four Internet Freedoms. -
Supreme Court Brand X Decision
With its decision confirmed, FCC is free to leave cable internet access unregulated. -
FCC Issues Internet Policy Statement
In response to the Brand X decision, the FCC releases its Internet Policy Statement asserting that the FCC "has jurisdiction necessary to ensure that providers of telecommunications for Internet access or Internet Protocol-enabled (IP-enabled) services are operated in a neutral manner." -
Congress Passes Blls
Congress attempts to pass the first of many network neutrality bills. -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 called for an investment of $7.2 billion in broadband infrastructure and included an openness stipulation.
