Battle for network neutrality isn't over

[Commentary] If you thought the fight over net neutrality ended when the Federal Communications Commission issued its strong new "Open Internet" rules, think again.

The new rules are under attack. Internet providers are challenging them in the courts and are trying to evade them with new kinds of business plans. Even if they survive the legal challenge -- and I think they will -- they could still be undermined by broadband providers like Comcast and AT&T. Either way, the threat to the open nature of the Internet remains worrisome and real. "The really big move is turning the Internet into the equivalent of a cable system, where it's a managed network," said Susan Crawford, a professor at Harvard Law School and an outspoken critic of the big broadband providers. "If Comcast and these guys get away with this, other carriers around the world will try to do the same thing."

Despite being asked to do so, the FCC didn't ban zero-rating programs in its net neutrality rules. However, it tacitly acknowledged that they could violate the spirit of net neutrality and vowed to keep an eye on them. Reportedly, the agency is studying the issue. It's time for the FCC to take a bolder stance and ban them outright. Zero-rating plans may sound good, but they're bad for the Internet and consumers in the long run.