For nearly all Americans, broadband is an indispensable service that makes it possible for them to communicate, transact commerce, and participate in civic life. In fact, broadband is so critical that last month Senator Thune, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and a bipartisan group of 60 senators, called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to ensure that rural Americans have access to high-speed broadband.

It’s been almost three months since the FCC issued its order reclassifying Internet Service Providers as Title II telecommunications carriers and establishing strong net neutrality rules. No one was surprised when the ISPs cried foul and sued to overturn the ruling.

You may know that Public Knowledge recently intervened in support of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the net neutrality litigation. As more legal filings now start to arrive in that lawsuit, one filing called a Statement of Issues to Be Raised, from the US Telecom Association (USTA), sheds some light on what at least some ISPs really think about net neutrality.

Now That the FCC’s (Excellent) Rules Are Officially On the Books, It’s Time to Defend Them Against The Onslaught

Today is a great day for the Open Internet. The FCC voted to create strong net neutrality rules grounded in robust legal authority. That vote, and those rules, are the culmination of over a decade of hard work and an especially vigorous year by a large and diverse coalition demanding robust Open Internet protections. We’re still waiting for the details, but as of now there is every reason to view this vote as a watershed moment in the history of net neutrality. At a time like this, it is important to take a moment and appreciate the magnitude of this accomplishment.

After an unprecedented outpouring of public support, today the FCC voted to enact the strongest net neutrality rules in history. By embracing its Title II authority and creating clear, bright line rules against blocking and discrimination, Chairman Wheeler and the FCC have earned a reputation as defenders of an Open Internet.

Depending on where you live, certain migration patterns mark the turn of the seasons. In New England, the distinct V shape of Canadian geese migrating south marks the return of fall. In California, the return of the swallows to their home at San Juan Mission in Capistrano marks the return of spring. And, in Washington D.C., the return of former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell and friends to tell us that the U.N. will take over the Internet marks a debate around network neutrality and Title II.

After the leak of FCC Chairman Wheeler’s plan for net neutrality last week, it was apparent that the excitement also brought with it a lot of confusion. Public Knowledge decided to host a Ask Me Anything forum (AMA) on Reddit to try and help alleviate any confusion. We told people to ask us anything they were curious about – even such divisive questions such as dog’s or cats – and we promised to do our best to answer. PK experts John Bergmayer, Edyael Casaperalta, Kate Forscey, Jodie Griffin, Chris Lewis, Sherwin Siy, and Michael Weinberg answered a wide range of questions from Redditors.

This Valentine’s Day the best gift you can give your loved ones is a lasting, fair and open internet. Help us spread the love by sending a tweet to your representative using these e-cards.

Title II is not net neutrality. This post is doing something that well-trained advocates know is often inadvisable: highlighting your opponents’ arguments in order to rebut them. This exercise can give those arguments more visibility and credence than they merit. However, in this case the arguments are so widespread it’s worth addressing them head-on. So, again: Title II is not net neutrality. Not only that, but net neutrality is not “utility” regulation.