Policy Practicum: Restoring Net Neutrality

In 2017, the FCC eliminated all net neutrality protections and renounced its authority over broadband. That stunning reversal of two decades of FCC policy set off a public firestorm, prompted states like California to step in with their own protections, and led to protracted legal battles. Though the timing is unclear, a new FCC will likely revisit net neutrality with the goal of restoring open internet protections at the federal level. Two of the current four commissioners have said restoring net neutrality is a high priority. Gigi Sohn, a long-time supporter of net neutrality, is the nominee for the fifth seat. Additionally, the European Union's political leadership is promoting a plan to require some online apps to pay broadband providers directly so that their services can be used by those broadband providers' customers. This would reverse decades of precedent and is a direct assault on the EU's net neutrality protections. That means this fall will present a unique window for research and policy papers on net neutrality. Historically, the FCC has given deep consideration to input from citizens, companies, interest groups, and public policy experts. The EU's proposal will also likely have an open public consultation window, where filings from experts will be given great weight. This policy lab gives students the opportunity to participate in these processes, and be trained to become the next generation of net neutrality and telecommunications law experts. Students will have an opportunity to make a lasting mark on real public policy both domestically and internationally. The FCC's and EU's choices are crucial to issues like platform dominance, digital equity, and the digital divide. Students in this policy lab will work alongside Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick, widely considered to be the world's foremost expert on net neutrality. Her work has shaped net neutrality policies around the world, including the FCC's 2015 net neutrality protections and California's 2018 net neutrality law, as well as the European Union's 2016, 2020, and 2022 guidelines implementing Europe's net neutrality law. Students will do research and produce materials related to the upcoming proceedings. Documents include white papers, explainer documents, official submissions, and more. A background in net neutrality or telecom law is helpful, but not required. We hope to draw students from a variety of disciplines, including computer science, economics, statistics, public policy, and journalism. Law students wishing to undertake R credit will perform additional research or take on additional tasks analyzing the issues and results of the collective research. R credit is possible only by consent of the instructor. After the term begins, and with the consent of the instructor, students accepted into the course may transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Performance, Class Participation, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline.