Reactions to FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Proposal to Restore Net Neutrality Rules

[This page is being updated.]

"The internet’s open design is revolutionary," said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "It means creating without permission, building community beyond geography, organizing without physical constraints, consuming content you want when and where you want it, and cultivating ideas not just around the corner but around the world...I believe it is essential that we sustain this foundation of openness—and that is why, for as long as I have served on the FCC, I have supported net neutrality."

"In an Executive Order, President Biden—like President Obama before him—called on the FCC to apply vast and expansive government controls to the Internet. This is part of the Administration’s plan for
imposing new, utility-style “net neutrality” regulations under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934," said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. "Yesterday, the Chair of the FCC announced that the agency will start the process of increasing government power over the Internet. I oppose this unlawful plan. The American people want more freedom on the Internet—not greater government controls over their online lives."

"Net neutrality has become an obsession," said FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington. "What would it look like to apply net neutrality principles to both ISPs and Big Tech alike? There are lot of questions, such as whether Title II is the appropriate vehicle for one or both or neither, and whether Congressional action would be preferrable. But what I would like to see, through whatever approach is best, is light-touch rules that prevent any dominant corporation, whether ISP or Big Tech, from abusing its market position to engage either in censorship or in anticompetitive practices."

"As Chairwoman Rosenworcel stressed, applying Title II to broadband internet access service means net neutrality," said Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss.  "But that is just one reason it is so important to restore the FCC's broadband authority. Title II also empowers the FCC to address a number of issues that are important to the national and public interest. We all benefit from an internet that is not only open but fast and fair, safe and secure. Obviously, this is just the first page in a new chapter of the long-running net neutrality debate. But the Benton Institute welcomes the chance to have an informed debate with an FCC that is committing to listen to the American people."

Michael Copps, Former FCC Commissioner and Common Cause Special Adviser said, "To allow a handful of monopoly-aspiring gate-keepers to control access to the internet is a direct threat to our democracy.  Anyone hoping to be a full participant in our society must have access to an open internet that serves the people’s needs. So much of our lives now takes place online that without an internet serving the public interest, we are short-changing ourselves and our country. Congratulations to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel for her courageous leadership to bring net neutrality back."

Ishan Mehta, Common Cause Media and Democracy Program Director said, "The Internet has fundamentally changed how people are civically engaged and is critical to participating in society today. It is the primary communications platform, a virtual public square and has been a powerful organizing tool, allowing social justice movements to gain momentum and widespread support. We look forward to the reinstatement net neutrality protections, and the control of the Internet returning to the American people instead of Internet providers."

Chris Lewis, President and CEO at Public Knowledge, said, "I am happy to support Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s announcement of a proceeding to ensure the FCC has the proper authority to protect consumers over broadband networks. This is an issue that is long delayed settling because of the powerful influence of the largest cable and telecommunications companies in Washington. We need clear broadband authority at the FCC to be settled so that the Commission can do the work the American people expect from it."

"We applaud FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel for getting right to work on protecting broadband consumers now that we have a full FCC," said Free Press Co-CEO Jessica J. González. "Reinstating the agency’s Title II authority is a top priority because it will allow the FCC to ensure that all Americans — no matter their location or their demographics — have affordable, reliable and safe internet connections free from discrimination, blocking or other ISP manipulation."

Lilian Coral, Vice President of Technology and Democracy Programs at New America and Head of the Open Technology Institute, said, “Internet users should decide where they go and what they do online, not their internet service providers. ⁠Just as we expect our telephones to connect us to any phone number without interference or prejudice by a third party, we expect the same from the internet. Restoring the FCC’s Title II authority to regulate internet service providers gives open internet principles the protection of law."

“Access to a fast, reliable, and affordable internet connection is more essential to Americans than ever. We applaud Chair Rosenworcel for calling broadband what it is: a telecommunications service. Title II classification will ensure that broadband providers are properly overseen by the FCC like all telecommunications services should be. Whether it is junk or hidden fees, arbitrary pricing, deceptive advertising, or unreliable service, broadband providers have proven over the years that without proper oversight, they will not hesitate to use their power to increase profits at the consumers’ expense, ” said Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumer Reports.

American Library Association President Emily Drabinski said, "The American Library Association is heartened that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is moving swiftly to restore the vital principles for strong network neutrality. A now-full complement of commissioners must affirm this effort in their October meeting. Preserving the unimpeded flow of information over the public internet and ensuring equitable access for all people and institutions is critical to our nation’s social, cultural, educational and economic well-being."

Joe Kane, director of broadband and spectrum policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, said, "The Chairwoman's proposal would hamper the development of the Internet at a time when consumers need it most. U.S. broadband has been a success story, reaching more people with faster speeds than ever, despite remote work and learning swelling the burden on networks. This success is largely due to the billions of dollars private broadband providers invest in those networks. Title II regulations would hamper these investments and make the Internet more like a sclerotic utility than a dynamic, competitive service. The FCC should reject the proposal."

"Any effort to [restore] net neutrality through Title II regulations as they existed under the Open Internet Order will stifle innovation, harm consumers and taxpayers, and provide an opportunity for other countries to take over America’s position as the global leader in telecommunications," said Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz.

"Remember predictions that Trump Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai would break the internet by rescinding the Obama “net neutrality” rules? The internet somehow still works and is now even faster. Yet Biden regulators plan to “fix” it by re-imposing political control," said The Wall Street Journal.

"Powering up an outdated regulatory time machine to impose rules designed for a long-forgotten era runs directly counter to, and will likely derail, the critical achievement we are so close to reaching – universal connectivity," said Jonathan Spalter, president & CEO of USTelecom – The Broadband Association. "Treating broadband as a Title II utility is a dangerous and costly solution in search of a problem. Congress must step in on this major question and end this game of regulatory ping-pong. The future of the open, vibrant internet we now enjoy hangs in the balance."

Louis Peraertz, Vice President of Policy for the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), said, "With the FCC coming to full complement just yesterday, Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wasted no time in announcing that the agency will initiate a rulemaking proceeding to reimpose common carrier regulation on broadband ISPs.  Though details remain to be seen, such a move to reimpose twentieth-century utility-style rules are not needed at this time.  The marketplace has thrived in the very absence of such regulation.  Low prices, capex output, and technological and service innovation abound.  Further, more customers than ever receive broadband, with this number growing each day.  Smaller ISPs in particular should not be saddled with burdensome regulations."

ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer said, "ACA Connects and its hundreds of Members are so troubled by the announcement that the FCC is considering subjecting smaller broadband service providers to onerous regulations that were crafted for the copper-line telephone business. Such utility-style regulations will inhibit our Members’ investment to the detriment of their subscribers. These regulations will also give Big Tech platforms even greater ability to leverage smaller broadband providers and their subscribers. ACA Connects and its members are committed to upholding the principles of an open Internet. We support efforts in Congress to develop net neutrality legislation that adopts fair and comprehensive “rules of the road” for the entire Internet ecosystem, including Big Tech. But imposing burdensome new regulations on smaller broadband providers is not the solution."

"The FCC has made clear its desire to launch new net neutrality rules, surfacing new ever-shifting rationales," said Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. "The original justification for accessing sweeping Title II authority has become obviously thin...The proposed rules may complicate, if not deeply upset, our collective efforts to bring internet to rural and unserved communities.  These rules set out very heavy regulations that complicate the calculus of deploying networks in expensive, risky, and hard-to-serve markets.  The FCC’s actions only add to that burden, and we fear net neutrality will lead to net fatality."

“Ensuring the nondiscriminatory provisioning of broadband internet access service has already been deemed to be within the FCC’s statutory authority," said Computer & Communications Industry Association Vice President and Chief of Staff Stephanie Joyce. "Reinstating those protections will ensure that America’s digital economy is inclusive, open, and stable.”

"Broadband is not a luxury. It is an essential utility and it is imperative that the FCC’s authority reflects the necessary nature of the internet in Americans’ lives today," said Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). "We need net neutrality so that small businesses are not shoved into online slow-lanes, so that powerful social media companies cannot stifle competition, and so that users can always freely speak their minds on social media and advocate for the issues that are most important to them. We applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel for her leadership and look forward to working with the FCC to ensure a just broadband future for everyone."

"America is leading the world with faster and more competitively-priced Internet service," said Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). "This was made clear during the pandemic, when U.S. networks thrived and heavily-regulated European counterparts couldn’t keep up.  Instead of allowing broadband investment to flourish, the Biden FCC wants to move backwards and reinstate failed Obama-era net neutrality rules that treat the Internet as a public utility controlled by the federal government."

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said, "With the swearing in of Anna Gomez, the FCC finally has the power to take action on the priorities important to the American people, from delivering on net neutrality and expanding affordable broadband access to strengthening local news. I’m looking forward to working with the Commission to accomplish an agenda that puts consumers first."

Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) said, "Now that the FCC has a full complement of commissioners, we are thrilled that Chairwoman Rosenworcel is acting decisively to protect the free and open internet for all Americans. We applaud how quickly and assertively she is acting to reflect the reality that broadband internet service is an indispensable part of American life, and it must be treated that way. Title II reclassification asserts the FCC’s authority over broadband providers to protect consumers from unreasonable and unjust practices. We urge all of the Commissioners to support reestablishing the agency’s authority over broadband internet service."

"Despite constant fear mongering, this debate was settled in 2017 when the Internet didn't break following the repeal of heavy-handed FCC regulations," said Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Bob Latta (R-OH).