Bill Overview
Title: Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act of 2022
Description: This bill expressly classifies broadband internet as a telecommunications service rather than an information service for purposes of regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. (Current law treats providers of telecommunications services as common carriers and subjects them to more stringent requirements.)
Sponsors: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using broadband internet
Estimated Size: 255000000
- The bill reclassifies broadband internet as a telecommunications service, impacting regulation.
- Current internet users on broadband connections will be directly affected by this legislation.
- The bill applies to both wired and wireless broadband services.
- This legislation impacts broadband providers' operations, which consequently affects the customers they serve.
Reasoning
- The Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act of 2022 will primarily impact users connected to broadband internet.
- Approximately 77% of Americans, or 255 million people, use broadband internet at home.
- The policy reclassifies broadband as a telecommunications service, subjecting it to stricter regulation which may influence cost and service quality.
- A diverse set of individuals will be affected differently based on their internet usage, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
- Consideration is given to individuals who both support and oppose this reclassification for varied reasons.
- The budget constraints mean the policy needs to focus cost-effectively on reaching the large user base.
- Impacts on wellbeing can vary, primarily based on how the reclassification impacts internet costs and accessibility.
Simulated Interviews
elementary school teacher (rural Ohio)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on the internet for both my job and my kids' educational needs.
- I'm worried the policy could lead to increased costs if the service providers pass on the cost of regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
IT professional (urban Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the policy if it ensures net neutrality and fair play among ISPs.
- Stricter regulation could help prevent ISPs from throttling or extra charges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
small business owner (suburban California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will ensure stable and reliable broadband, crucial for my online business.
- However, worried about the impact of regulatory costs being passed to customers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired nurse (New York City)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about any increase in my internet bill since I live on a fixed income.
- The policy might help with consistent service issues I face sometimes,but at what cost?
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the policy for ensuring fair access. My focus is on new regulations to prevent data throttling and promote privacy.
- I'm skeptical about how effective it will be until enforced rigorously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Net neutrality is vital for my work as a journalist, ensuring I have unrestricted and reliable access is key.
- Stricter regulation could improve service but might raise non-monetary operational costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired (rural Kentucky)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear that stricter regulations might drive one of the few providers here out of business, limiting my options further.
- If it results in lower costs due to competition, I'd be all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
tech startup founder (Silicon Valley, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned this policy could stifle innovation with more regulation.
- Faster internet and more competition from an unregulated market are key for my startup's success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
freelance graphic designer (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a freelancer, reliable internet is my livelihood, so stability post-policy is a priority.
- Worried about potential increased costs, I want assurance of consistency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
college professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm for net neutrality; it's crucial for educational resources and access to information without bias.
- Expecting this policy to ensure fairness and properly handle service issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 10: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- Policy shifts affecting internet users and providers, particularly in terms of service delivery and costs.
- Long-term impacts of maintaining net neutrality versus additional compliance costs.