House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Rockefeller have asked FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to expand and protect universal broadband open Internet access.
The chairmen made the request in a letter responding to a recent federal court decision (Comcast) that invalidated the Bush administration’s approach to governing end user rights to broadband Internet access. They asked the FCC to consider all viable options to protect consumers and implement the National Broadband Plan — including a change to classify broadband as telecommunications services.
Title II of the Communications Act has always applied to interstate telecommunications services, but since 2005, the FCC has primarily relied on Title I for broadband Internet access.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association supports the National Broadband Plan and the chairmens’ encouragement to implement it.
The following comments can be attributed to Ed Black, CCIA President & CEO:
“Waxman and Rockefeller should be commended for their quick action to defend the rights of Internet users. They wisely understand there is too much at stake here to let the watchdog authority of the FCC get cast aside on a crucial service that connects people to information, communication and job opportunities.
“As we watch other countries try to filter Internet content or steer Internet traffic, it is important that countries who support democratic principles ensure that no government and no corporation controls what households, students and small businesses access on the Internet.”