Upton: No network neutrality rules for NBC-Comcast

Incoming House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission on Dec 10 urging the agency not to impose network neutrality conditions on Comcast as part of the proposed acquisition of NBC Universal.

Rep Upton said the only thing the FCC should be reviewing is whether or not the new entity would be able to unfairly influence the markets for video content creation and distribution to the detriment of consumers. He warned against using the merger as an excuse to impose network neutrality or achieve other political goals. "I will be troubled if it appears that the Commission is using this transaction to accomplish broader, partisan objectives that it does not have the policy support to impose industry-wide, that it might not have the authority to pursue were it not presented with a license transaction, and that the parties cannot object to without risking their propose endeavor," Rep Upton said. He also exhorted the FCC not to let third parties or groups hijack the review process to push their agendas.