Old phone companies can stop connecting to the internet like it's still 1996

The US communications regulator wants to remove old rules that force phone companies to connect their internet-based networks using outdated technology. This means they can switch to more efficient, modern internet connections, which should lower costs and improve service.

For decades, phone companies had to maintain expensive, complex systems to connect internet traffic as if it were still traditional phone calls. This rule change means they can finally upgrade their infrastructure to match how the internet actually works today. It should make it cheaper and easier for smaller providers to connect to larger networks, potentially increasing competition and improving service quality for everyone.