Proponents of Regulation Face ‘High Bar’ Demonstrating Public Interest in U.S. Policy Reversal

Today, the Federal Communications Commission held its monthly public meeting in which it voted to proceed with a notice of proposed rulemaking “to preserve the free and open Internet.”

The following statement can be attributed to USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr.:

“The nation’s broadband service providers fully support the notion of a free and open Internet. While we look forward to constructively participating in what the chairman promises to be a data-driven process, we simply point out the irrefutable fact that all Americans enjoy today a free and open Internet in the absence of more regulation. It is equally true that no industry invests more in the U.S. economy than broadband service providers. And, no segment of our economy created more jobs last year than the broadband-fueled information, communications and technology sector.

“All sides support an open Internet. All sides want to see continued investment, job creation and innovation in this vital sector of our economy. Where we differ is when it comes to whether a greater government role in the day-to-day operations of the Internet will help or hurt this important progress.

“We agree with several Commissioner’s comments that this rulemaking must look carefully across the entire Internet ecosystem, encompassing not only broadband providers, but also application and content providers. At the end of the day, ‘neutrality’ must, in fact, be neutral.

“Innovation—both within the network and on the edge—can and does coexist today with a free and open Internet. Those calling for greater government intervention face a high bar in demonstrating the public interest in reversing a course that has been so successful for consumers, our economy and our national security. We believe it would be a mistake to replace today’s open and dynamic environment with a government-managed ‘mother may I’ approach to innovation.”

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.