Support for Wheeler?s Open Internet announcement

Yesterday, as Speed Matters reported, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said that the commission would be pursuing new rules to sustain an Open Internet, following the January court ruling in Verizon v. FCC overturning some existing rules. It appears that that the chairman has found a middle ground which is finding support among consumers, labor, ISPs, and policymakers.

For instance, Public Knowledge President and CEO Gene Kimmelman said, “As the DC Court of Appeals affirmed last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authority to protect consumers and innovators online. We are pleased that the FCC plans to protect Internet openness, promote transparency, encourage municipal broadband, and achieve other goals.”

“The Writers Guild of America, West,” said the union of mass media writers, “is pleased the chairman is moving to protect an open Internet.”

Verizon spokesman Ed McFadden noted, “Verizon remains committed to an open Internet that provides consumers with competitive choices and unblocked access to lawful websites and content when, where and how they want... We have always focused on providing our customers with the services and experience they want, and this focus has not changed.”

Jim Cicconi, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs, said, “We believe the FCC possesses sufficient authority under section 706 to preserve Internet freedom and openness, and that it can do so without over-regulation.”

And on Capitol Hill:

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) who first introduced net neutrality legislation in 2009, said, “I am pleased to see the Chairman moving forward to reinstate rules on strong legal footing that preserve the open nature of the Internet. I look forward to working with the FCC to ensure the Commission moves quickly to re-adopt no-blocking and nondiscriminatory rules and ensure the Internet remains a level playing field for consumers and innovators.”

And Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the ranking member of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee said Wheeler's effort will “put consumers back in the driver's seat when it comes to their online experience.”

Speed Matters supports Wheeler’s efforts to maintain an Open Internet.

Wheeler tries new approach to net neutrality (Speed Matters, Feb. 19, 2014)

Public Knowledge Calls for FCC to Act Quickly to Protect Customers  (Public Knowledge, Feb. 19, 2014)

WGAW Statement on FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's Response to Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules (Writers Guild of America, West, Feb. 19, 2104)

US renews ‘Open Internet’ push after court order (AFP, Feb. 19, 2014)

Reaction to FCC’s New Effort to Protect the Open Internet (Benton Foundation, Feb. 19, 2014)

Markey Applauds Wheeler Announcement on Open Internet Rules (PoliticalNews.me, Feb. 20, 2014)

FCC Seeks to Create New Net Neutrality Protections (Bloomberg BNA, Feb. 20, 2014)