<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> In the United States, net neutrality has been an issue of contention among network users and access providers since the 1990s . </P> <P> In 2005, under Republican Chair Abernathy, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted policies and rules establishing principles of "network neutrality" in order to carry out the policy of the United States "to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the Internet" and "to promote the continued development of the Internet," "encourag (ing) the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability"--broadband--"to all Americans .". The FCC noted that Congress had cited the Internet's educational and informational importance, and the fact that "(t) he Internet also represents "a forum for a true diversity of political discourse, unique opportunities for cultural development, and myriad avenues for intellectual activity," as well as "play (ing) an important role in the economy, as an engine for productivity growth and cost savings ." </P> <P> In order "to ensure that providers of telecommunications for Internet access or Internet Protocol - enabled (IP - enabled) services are operated in a neutral manner," and noting that its "Enforcement Bureau recently entered into a consent decree to resolve an investigation with respect to the blocking of ports used for voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)," the Commission adopted network neutrality principles "to preserve and promote the vibrant and open character of the Internet as the telecommunications marketplace enters the broadband age ." </P>

When did net neutrality start in the usa