Not surprisingly, initial reactions to the opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Open Internet Order have focused on its effect on fixed and mobile broadband internet access providers (ISPs).
Analysts have speculated that the FCC might pursue more rate regulation, forbid usage-based pricing or zero-rating, and become more aggressive in areas such as privacy. Most did not expect a short-term impact because, as Oppenheimer pointed out, “No carrier has had any financial gains from exploiting their positions, nor were they expected to any time soon.”
