We have always experienced net neutrality it's just that it hasn't always been, or even needed to be, a direct rule.
A. When the public started using the internet back in the 1990's connections were all done through telco provided lines that are Title II regulated so they could not discriminate against ISPs or services. The ISP's could discriminate but since there was such a low bar to entry (buy or rent a modem pool) everyone had choices in ISP. So if your ISP blocked or throttled some services you could just switch provider.
B. In the 21st century broadband grew but many of the early connections were DSL on telco lines so again between Title II regulation and ISP choice no specific net neutrality rules were needed.
C. Then the technical limits of telco lines had everyone switching to coaxial cable, fiber or cellular for broadband. This was when the issue of net neutrality raised it's ugly head. Some cable operators blocked services like Vonage and Apple's Face time app to squeeze more money out of customers. Others bandwidth limited services that they didn't like to increase their profits. All the offenses were eventually sorted out in the public's favor but it was clear that to prevent a continuing flood of problems the FCC enacted the first net neutrality rules.
D. The FCC used a very light touch with a new rule that virtually all the industry accepted. The exception was Verizon who went to court and, as the lawyers at the EFF predicted, the rules were struck down as stepping beyond the FCC's legal authority.
E. In 2015 the new rule was adopted which reclassified the cable/fiber provider and ISP combo companies as subject to Title II. That rule survived court challenges but has now been repealed by the FCC. So we are now back at step C.
