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Morristown not likely impacted by net neutrality repeal

The FCC has decided to change net neutrality rules to give more power to Internet Service Providers like Comcast and AT&T.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to remove net neutrality regulations Thursday, even with more than two million people signing a petition against the move.

The five members of the FCC voted 3-2 to end net neutrality rules, something President Barack Obama put in place.

The decision returns to a "light touch" approach, ending what FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called the federal government's "micromanaging" of the internet.

Morristown is one of just a few cities in Tennessee that treat internet service like a utility, like water or electricity.

"Fiber passes every citizen and business in the corporate city limits of Morristown," General Manager of Morristown Utility Systems Jody Wigington said.

There's a lot of data coming in and out of the network operations center at Morristown Utility Services.

"Every one of those has access to a gigabit of speed," Wigington said.

Wigington isn't worried about those speeds or prices changing because of net neutrality any time soon.

"Net neutrality just basically means you're neutral," Wigington said. "We want our network neutral to the traffic. We don't play favorites, one over the other, we don't block one and favor another device, and we don't slow down one provider versus another."

So here's how it works: When you buy internet service from a company like AT&T, you have access to every bit of the internet, all for the agreed price. But without net neutrality regulations, AT&T could decide to charge you extra for certain websites, like Facebook or YouTube. If you don't pay the premium price, you can't access it.

"The fear is that a lot of the small players will face difficulties in the future," Wigington said.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel told NBC News it gives broadband providers the legal right and the power to start blocking websites if they choose to.

And if that happens? Wigginton said Morristown residents wouldn't be affected because the city provides their internet service, not a larger internet provider like Comcast or AT&T.

"It would not affect us because our products don't come from them," Wigington said.

Morristown buys it straight from the source, a company called NCTC.

"I think it's a dangerous move, but day one, or I'd say in a year, we won't see that much effect," Wigington said.

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