Net neutrality on trial: judges hear lawsuits against FCC

The Federal Communications Commission finds itself in court today, as the hearing gets underway to determine the legality of net neutrality rules. A total of 10 lawsuits have been brought against the commission by a number of cable and telecoms companies.

Earlier in the year the FCC banned service providers from creating internet fast lanes that could have been used to give those willing to pay for it a faster service, or to offer certain types of traffic preferential treatment. This could be the hearing that decides once and for all whether the idea of treating all web traffic equally is a workable option.

The FCC rules state that broadband providers may not engage in the "blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization" of web traffic, but this is something that the likes of Verizon and Comcast are unhappy with. They argue that it will make it more difficult for them to manage web traffic.

The commission has been accused of abusing its powers in implementing the rules, and there has already been heated debate about the legitimacy of reclassifying broadband as a telecommunications service that is viewed as a utility. The arguments surrounding net neutrality have already rumbled on for a number of years, and if the panel of three judges -- including Judge David Tatel -- rules against the FCC, the whole can of worms will be opened up all over again.

The First Amendment is being cited by supporters of the rules including Twitter, Yelp, and Reddit.