The Computer & Communications Industry filed comments today in the second round of responses to the FCC’s rulemaking to preserve access to an open Internet. Protecting access to the public Internet is even more urgent now given the recent appeals court ruling, which overturned the way the previous FCC sought to enforce net neutrality rules, though the court did not disagree with the need to preserve an open Internet.
The following comments can be attributed to Ed Black, CCIA President and CEO:
“Internet Access Providers including wireline, wireless, cable and satellite have consolidated and are moving toward consolidation, convergence and vertical integration at unprecedented levels. This makes rules to preserve Internet freedom and openness more critical than ever.
“The failure of the previous Commission to maintain enforceable, basic rights to nondiscriminatory Internet access should not mean consumers must simply give that up and allow their online experience to be hijacked by financial deals between Internet access providers and websites. The FCC must restore its original role of public interest watchdog, looking out for consumer and small business broadband Internet connection rights.
“Even IAPs recognize that Internet access is converging to the same IP-based technology. It makes perfect sense for the FCC to use its Title II telecommunications authority to preserve the two-way Internet access service everyone has come to rely on for daily life and work.
“FCC safeguards do not have to be as heavy-handed or inflexible as some would suggest. For example, it is entirely possible for the FCC to accommodate the fact that wireless IAPs face different challenges managing the growing volume of mobile Internet traffic by allowing reasonable network management practices, while still preserving Internet freedom, fair connectivity and openness.”