The Federal Communications Commission’s unanimous vote Oct. 22 to begin developing an open Internet policy served a major victory for those, such as the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, who support the idea that the Internet should be fast, open and accessible to all Americans.

However, as we covered in our net neutrality blog series, which took an in-depth look at each of the FCC’s proposed six net neutrality principles, there are numerous organizations and individuals that are putting some heavy commercial and political pressure on the issue, the FCC and each other.

Major broadband providers feel strongly that the billions of dollars they’ve poured into their networks should provide them the exclusive right to operate those networks however they want. That includes offering premium services over their lines to differentiate themselves from competitors – and earn a healthy return on their investments in the process.

Many Republican congressmen have spoken out against the proposed net neutrality principles as well, expressing the opinion that the regulations would likely discourage broadband providers from expanding and upgrading their systems, thereby stifling innovation and hurting the job market.

Sen. John McCain is one prominent politician who holds that view, which is the main reason he introduced the Internet Freedom Act of 2009 the same morning as the FCC vote, which would block the agency from regulating the Internet.

Other congressmen have come forward to say they feel the FCC doesn’t have the legal right to enforce net neutrality rules. Even FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who introduced the proposal, feels there is a legal gray area with regards to enacting and enforcing Internet regulation. He said in a previous interview that his agency is faced with a “dangerous combination of an uncertain legal framework with ongoing as well as emerging challenges to a free and open Internet.”

What’s clear is that while the issue might have been voted on, the debate is far from over. Keep in mind the vote doesn’t put any principle in place as law; it simply states the FCC will start the process for creating regulation to keep the Internet open and use the six principles as a foundation.

Regardless, the vote is a step in the right direction in ensuring all Americans will have access to an Internet that’s fast, open and innovative.

Tags: broadband, Broadband Expansion, digital, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, high-speed, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, Internet Freedom Act of 2009, John McCain, Julius Genachowski, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Net Neutrality, network, Republican party