CCIA Urges FCC Action On Internet Freedom, Hails Introduction Of Markey Bill

File Under: News, Telecommunications

Feb 13, 2008

WASHINGTON – Now is the time for the Federal Communication Commission to draw the line to preserve neutral and open access to the Internet, according to the Computer & Communications Industry Association in comments prepared for the FCC.

CCIA President and CEO Ed Black said it is critical for the FCC to enforce the basic principles of its Internet Policy Statement to invigorate the social and economic benefits of the Internet, which are only possible without a gatekeeper.

“Our member companies and their customers all depend on neutral broadband access and Internet freedom for commercial activity, economic growth and global competitiveness,” CCIA said in its statement to the FCC.

Barring stronger enforcement from the FCC, Congress could take up Internet Freedom Legislation introduced today by Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, D-Mass.

Black welcomed the bill, saying, “The lack of sufficient broadband competition in the marketplace is the key reason we believe light, focused legislation is necessary. We need broadband competition in the marketplace to effectively check abusive conduct by dominant players.

“The Internet has grown because of its tremendously open, non-proprietary structure. It’s been a model that’s very good for innovation,” Black said.


Link to CCIA's FCC Comments