Washington — Investment and innovation have thrived under the FCC’s current internet access rules preventing content blocking, throttling, and discrimination. The Computer & Communications Industry Association warned the FCC in reply comments filed today that millions of businesses, from retail to tech, that use the internet would be harmed if it goes through with plans to eliminate net neutrality rules.
A Federal Appeals Court upheld the FCC’s Open Internet rules last year. However, the new majority on the Commission is proposing to eliminate these rules that prevent Internet Service Providers from discriminating against content. The move would hurt other businesses that rely on internet access — especially small companies and startups that would face extra fees.
In addition to its FCC comments, CCIA released a net neutrality Myths and Facts white paper Monday. CCIA has advocated for open markets and competition for 45 years and represents a diverse range of tech companies. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“The FCC has received tens of millions of comments from businesses and internet users who want to keep rules that help the internet ecosystem and our economy thrive. The internet supports access to information, free speech and enables thousands of businesses to reach customers. I am amazed that just one year after a Federal Appeals Court upheld the rules protecting nondiscrimination, the FCC would now propose to roll those back because the biggest broadband providers are saying they may not invest as much in building out internet service. Either those are empty threats or the market has a competition problem. In competitive markets companies can’t ignore the business imperative to expand and invest in better service for customers.
“When the previous FCC approved the current Open Internet Rules, they were trying to ensure that neither the government nor a few big companies could regulate internet content. If this FCC does indeed remove these rules, they are emboldening a couple companies to alter the open, nondiscriminatory internet environment which millions of consumers and hundreds of thousands of businesses now use.”