14 DAY TRIAL // After the FCC voted in favor of the implementation of net neutrality rules back in February, broadband-Internet providers have tried their best to challenge the new regulations which are to take effect on June 12.
Several Internet providers, including AT&T, CenturyLink, the American Cable Association and US Telecom, have filed two petitions asking the commission to postpone the implementation of the rules.
However, the FCC seems determined not to fall under the pressure coming from these companies, as it has ruled out the petition on claims that it is not well grounded.
FCC released an order denying the petitions and announcing that they are intent on carrying on with the "2015 Open Internet" decision, given that the petitioners had failed to pass the four-factor test enforced by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Internet providers, led by US Telecom, are bound to use all the weapons they dispose of, such as this joint petition, since they are afraid of the consequences that the rules could have on their businesses.
The new regulations which have already been published in the Federal Register, marking a significant victory for net-neutrality advocates as well as the result of a yearlong struggle, have met with support from well-known political figures such as Obama or Hillary Clinton.
ISPs won't give up the fight
However, broadband companies are unwilling to accept them, claiming that the order will lead to significant financial losses which could result in them not disposing of the means to invest in developing their infrastructure.
They even argue they are not against the three main principles evoked by the Order, namely no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization.
On the contrary, they claim to be willing to adhere to these rules, as long as the regulation is reviewed to determine its compliance with the law and to analyze the negative effects that they could have on both broadband services providers and their consumers.
The petition is not the first attempt of the sort, aimed to keep the net neutrality rules from taking effect, as there are currently seven lawsuits filed by ISPs as well as trade associations against the FCC triggered by the publication of the controversial Order.