Proposed net neutrality bill is a 'solution in search of a problem'

[Commentary] The network neutrality legislative proposal put forth by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) is, to quote Chairman Upton, a solution in search of a problem.

Making matters worse, the legislation would leave the Federal Communications Commission powerless to protect consumers from other broadband harms not specified in the bill text, such as those that are already occurring in the interconnection context. The bill would also eliminate the FCC's ability to help cities build broadband. Lastly, the legislation is vulnerable to litigation, contrary to what some of the bill's proponents have suggested. As currently drafted, the bill does more harm than good. Congress would better serve consumers and small businesses by allowing the FCC to move forward with light-touch net neutrality protections instructed by the robust regulatory record before it. Millions of Americans have asked for these rules, and the FCC is poised to adopt them on Feb 26. Congress should let the FCC do its job.

[Morris is Senior Policy Counsel for the Open Technology Institute at the New America Foundation; Stager is Policy Counsel for the Open Technology Institute]