US net neutrality may drift from Western consensus

Significance

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a tentative agenda for the May consultations on April 27.

Impacts

• The United States could attempt to export its new approach by supporting US ISPs with a market presence in other countries.
• The US example will also be deployed by local ISPs seeking to frame net neutrality as a constraint on their competitiveness.
• The debate could play to the disadvantage of Republicans if Democrats tie it to a broader theme of conservatives undercutting consumers.