Making Internet service a utility - what's the worst that could happen? [telecom]

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A cable lobby lawyer reveals the industry's darkest fears.

By Jon Brodkin

It's 2020, and a coronavirus pandemic has underscored how crucial broadband service is to the lives of Americans for work, entertainment, and school. Internet service is a necessity, and yet it isn't regulated as a utility the way services like water and electricity are. But back in 2014 (when this story was originally published) and 2015, there was a hot debate over whether the Federal Communications Commission should treat broadband service like a utility - or, more precisely, as a Title II common-carrier service - in order to impose net neutrality rules.