This morning, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that on April 25, the FCC will vote on rules reaffirming that broadband is an essential service under Title II of the Communications Act. The following statement may be attributed to Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Senior Counselor Andrew Jay Schwartzman:

By restoring broadband as subject to the Commission's authority under Title II of the Communications Act, the FCC will assure that a handful of powerful telecommunications companies will not favor themselves and their business partners over consumers, non-profits and small businesses who also seek to speak and to receive information over the internet.

However, this is about much more than blocking and throttling; it is also about public safety, national security and privacy. Title II protects first responders’ ability to use the internet during emergencies and gives the FCC more authority to protect the integrity of America’s telecommunications networks from cyberattacks.  Right now, the FCC can do little more than rely on ISPs’ promises to protect customers’ information; Title II rules make them enforceable

Invoking Title II authority will also bring more new competition to large ISPs.  For example, it will stop ISPs from denying access to access to essential facilities they control.

Benton salutes Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s leadership moving us closer to an internet that serves all of us.

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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