Washington — The tech industry joined public interest groups as part of a Net Neutrality Day of Action Tuesday, calling on Senators to reverse the FCC’s Order that rescinded net neutrality protections. The Senate needs one more vote to invoke the Congressional Review Act, which could undo the recent FCC Order that overturned the strong existing rules that prevented internet service providers from discriminating against online content or charging more for access to certain websites.
CCIA and other net neutrality advocates participated in a demonstration outside the Capitol Tuesday morning as well as in a social media campaign to spread the message about the importance of net neutrality for businesses and the overall economy.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association represents a wide array of tech companies including leading internet services and internet providers. CCIA, has advocated on internet access and competition issues for over two decades including legal briefs supporting the 2015 Open Internet Order, which the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld just last year. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“Net neutrality is critical for internet users, anyone who plans to start a business and anyone who has one. The reliance upon internet nondiscrimination policies over the years has been essential to enabling the internet to become such a vital tool for communication and the economy. Congress should not stand by while the agency it created to protect consumers hands a few big internet service providers the ability to charge extra fees and alter internet traffic depending on who pays their tolls.”
“CCIA is looking forward to challenging this FCC in court. We think there are strong grounds to appeal, and the tech industry will be part of the effort to overturn this brazen Order.”