Ajit Pai could finally get net neutrality right

[Commentary] In the coming storm, it will be important not to lose sight of what should be the ultimate policy goal: finding a workable, balanced solution that promotes flourishing innovation throughout the entire Internet, both on the edge and within the core of the network. Under Tom Wheeler, the left-leaning activists got everything they asked for, to the determinant of innovation. Now, under Republican control, we can only hope the other side will resist the same temptation, lest the pendulum keep swinging forever.

The best solution to this issue should be balanced and stable—I say give Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai a shot at stopping the pendulum’s momentum at the bottom of its arc. But at the fourth attempt at net neutrality rules, this is starting to get ridiculous. Congress would do well to start seriously discussing the contours of a compromise so we can put this perennial problem to bed and move on to the real pressing Internet problems, such as closing the digital divide.

[Doug Brake is a senior telecommunications policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation]