Consumer Watchdog Group Reacts to FCC Plan to Reinstate Title II Internet Regulations

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara Zupkus, (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced its intention to hold a vote to re-implement burdensome Title II regulations – more commonly known as “net neutrality” regulations – on the internet. This re-classification would also give the FCC broad authority in other matters, jeopardizing the quality of internet access in America.

In response, David Williams, Taxpayers Protection Alliance President, offered the following comment:

“It is deeply disappointing that the FCC has decided to once again initiate a rulemaking to impose burdensome Title II regulations on the internet. This confirms many fears of the American business community, that internet regulation will become a game of bureaucratic ping pong, with almost no certainty. American businesses that rely on the internet need to know by what rules they will be governed to make informed decisions about their future.

“The internet was able to thrive and grow for years under the light-touch regulations of Title I. That trend only saw a reversal when Tom Wheeler’s FCC decided to re-classify the web as a Title II common carrier. Thankfully, the FCC – under the leadership of Ajit Pai – rolled back that disastrous move in 2017 and the impact was immediate. Internet companies were able to create jobs and investment in the sector skyrocketed once again.

“It is also unfortunate that the FCC seems to desire to go beyond Title II regulations, asserting more widespread, unilateral control over broadband. This will stifle investment and innovation in such a way that it will harm the FCC’s stated objective of achieving universal internet access across the nation. This would come at a time where that goal is more attainable than it ever has been.

“The track record is clear. A light-touch regulatory framework is most conducive to economic growth and innovation. With many potential revolutionary innovations just on the horizon, it makes little sense to re-impose regulations which demonstrably stalled progress on many fronts. The FCC should abandon this effort and allow American internet companies the certainty they need to thrive, grow, and provide better services to the American people.”

###

Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.