Washington – FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler confirmed in an article in Wired today that he will ask the FCC to classify broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act. The change would allow the FCC to prohibit Internet access providers from engaging in commercial discrimination and acting as gatekeepers of content for their Internet access customers.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association officially asked the FCC last summer to rely on Title II to classify Internet access as a telecommunications service. A year ago, we were the first industry organization to advocate this approach. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“For businesses and startups, Chairman Wheeler’s plan to protect the Open Internet as a telecommunications service will help ensure the Internet remains a place for permission-less innovation. Wheeler chose the best legal path to protect consumers’ and business’ Internet access, but it no doubt was not an easy one given the enormous political pressure from large Internet access providers not to face even light regulations. We appreciate that Wheeler stood up to this political pressure and we look forward to seeing the details.”