For Internet Users 2015 Was a Year of Many Wins … and One Loss

[Commentary] While not every fight ended in a win for Internet users, 2015 was a year when millions of advocates defied the conventional wisdom that tech policymaking was an arcane and secretive world limited to a small circle of insiders.Here are the many highlights… and a few less-than-spectacular moments:

1. Network Neutrality: We, the Internet, Won: After more than 10 years of popular organizing, the Federal Communications Commission approved real Net Neutrality protections with a ruling that prevents Internet access providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon from becoming the gatekeepers to everything online.
2. Comcast Merger Crash and Burn: In April, Comcast abandoned its proposed mega-merger with Time Warner Cable.
3. Protecting Homegrown Networks: Also in February, the FCC ruled to preempt state laws that prevent municipalities from creating high-speed Internet networks to connect their residents.
4. Philly (PA) (and Seattle (WA)) vs. Comcast: New Hope for Cities: In early December, the City of Philadelphia hammered together a cable franchise agreement with Comcast that provided low-cost internet service to thousands more Philadelphians.
5. The FCC Takes Choice and Affordability Seriously: At the close of 2014, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler recognized that competitive choices for fast, wired-line connections are lacking in America. In May, Chairman Wheeler invited comments on ways to make Lifeline  --  a program set up originally to subsidize the cost of telephone services  --  available for broadband Internet connections as well.
6. The Facebook Menace: Any roundup of Internet advocacy in 2015 would be incomplete without recognizing the spreading gatekeeper powers of social networks  --  and the growing public advocacy to support the rights of users of platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
7. The Surveillance State Strikes Back The battle to rein in online surveillance raged back and forth in 2015 with important advances for privacy advocates offset by a disappointing year-ending defeat.
8. A Political Force in 2016: As 2016 presidential hopefuls took to the trail in 2015, Internet issues found a spot at the podium.

[Tim Karr is senior director of strategy at Free Press]