TPA President David Williams to FCC: Scrap White House Net Neutrality Plan

TPA PRESIDENT DAVID WLLIAMS TO FCC: SCRAP THE PRESIDENT’S NET NEUTRALITY PLAN

Taxpayers Protection Alliance President slams upcoming vote by the Federal Communications Commission on President Obama’s net neutrality rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), a national taxpayer watchdog group representing concerned citizens all across the country, criticized  plans by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to vote on new rule making regarding net neutrality and reclassification of the Internet under Title II. The new rules reflect proposed plans from the Obama Administration that would undercut the very essence of an open Internet and stifle innovation and commerce, while harming taxpayers and consumers.

TPA President David Williams slammed the proposal in a statement released today:

“The proposal coming from the White House and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is completely antithetical to the innovative nature that has been a hallmark of the Internet for nearly two decades. There is absolutely no rationale for moving forward with an aggressive regulatory approach to keep the Internet open.”

Williams also talked about the harm to taxpayers and the economy, noting that, “Reclassification of the Internet could lead to new taxes, which would be a disaster for taxpayers, consumers, and businesses at time when there are already massive taxes on telecommunications.”

Williams continued on how the rule would impact states, “These rules would also do harm to states who are currently dealing with issues related to government broadband and fighting against forcible expansion.  This proposal would leave states with no choice in deciding whether or not to fund municipal broadband projects.”

Talking about spectrum, Williams said, “A reclassification of the Internet under Title II as a utility would have a negative impact on spectrum incentive auctions going forward because it would devalue the spectrum, costing taxpayers money and making the spectrum more difficult to sell.”

Williams concluded by saying that, “TPA opposes the Obama Administration’s plans for net neutrality, and we continue to urge FCC Commissioner Wheeler to halt any vote on reclassification of the Internet under Title II. Finally, this proposal lacks real transparency considering Chairman Wheeler has refused to publish the new rules on the Internet. Refusing to publish the 332-page net neutrality rules has a certain amount of irony considering that it is coming from those professing a desire for an open Internet.”