US Ends ‘Net Neutrality’ Rules for Internet Service

美国废除互联网服务的网络中立规定

1. Internet users in the United States likely did not notice anything different this week when they were looking at websites.

美国互联网用户本周在访问网站时可能没有注意到有任何不同。

1. But some rules governing the internet changed a lot.

但是一些互联网管理规定有了大变化。

1. Businesses that provide internet service are now permitted to block, slow down, or speed up access to some web sites. They may also require companies, such as YouTube or Amazon, to pay to show users their videos, stories, or pictures faster.

现在允许互联网提供商阻断、减慢或是加速某些网站的访问。它们还可能要求诸如YouTube或亚马逊之类的公司付费，以便它们的视频、新闻或故事能够更快显示。

1. The change marks the end of rules known as "net neutrality." Former U.S. President Barack Obama put the rules in place in 2015.

这一变化标志着“网络中立”规定的结束。前总统奥巴马于2015年制定了该规定。

1. In the term net neutrality, "net" is a short way of saying "internet." Under its rules, government regulations required internet service providers to treat websites and applications in the same way.

在网络中立这个术语中，网络是互联网的简称。根据该规定，政府法规要求互联网提供商平等对待网站和应用程序。

1. But earlier this year, government officials, supported by President Donald Trump, voted to end those rules. Their decision took effect on Monday.

但今年早些时候，政府官员在川普总统的支持下投票终止了这一规定。该决定将于周一正式生效。

1. Supporters of net neutrality argue that its regulations ensured everyone had equal ability to get information. The rules were largely popular with users – opinion studies showed that the American public approved of net neutrality by a big majority. Major internet companies such as Facebook and Alphabet, the company that owns Google, also support net neutrality.

网络中立的支持者认为该规定确保了美国人都有获取信息的平等能力。该规定在很大程度上受到用户欢迎。民意调查表明，美国公众绝大多数赞成网络中立。Facebook以及Goolge的母公司Alphabet公司也都支持网络中立。

1. But opponents said the rules limited businesses' reasons to invest in and improve internet service.

但是反对者称，这些规定限制了企业投资和改善互联网服务的意愿。

1. Major communications companies, including AT&T and Comcast, urged government officials to repeal net neutrality rules.

包括AT&T以及Comcast在内的主要通信公司都督促政府官员废除网络中立规定。

1. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission – the federal agency in charge of America's communications law and regulations – agreed with them. Ajit Pai said last week that the repeal will ensure "better, faster, and cheaper Internet access and more broadband to the American people."

美国联邦通信委员会是负责美国通信法律法规的机构，该机构主席Ajit Pai也赞同他们的意见。他上周表示，废除网络中立规定将会确保“给美国人民提供更好、更快、更便宜的互联网接入和宽带服务。”

1. A group representing major cable service companies and TV networks praised the new policy. They said that users in the U.S. will not see a change in their internet service—except that it "will keep getting better."

一家代表主要有线电视服务公司和电视网络的组织称赞了这项新政策。他们表示，美国用户不会感觉到他们的互联网服务发生变化，除了“变得越来越好。”

1. However, activist groups and some public officials have promised to continue to fight for a return to the previous internet rules.

然而，维权组织和一些公职人员已经允诺要继续争取恢复以前的这项互联网规定。

I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.

凯利·吉恩·凯利报道。