CoSN: Aggressive Net Neutrality Plan Raises Troubling Questions for Schools

CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) CEO Keith Krueger issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality plans:
 
“CoSN, and the school technology leaders we serve, are concerned about the potential, unexpected consequences of Chairman Ajit Pai’s aggressive net neutrality plan. The FCC should carefully consider the proposal’s implications for teaching and learning before leaping into these murky waters. For example, will school districts be stuck with the bill for higher transport costs levied on digital content providers? Simply relying on carriers to disclose information about pricing and practices would be a flimsy guardrail for powerful Internet service providers (ISPs), especially for smaller, rural and high-cost districts that lack competition and meaningful market power. We are also concerned how the tiered pricing and fast lanes – potentially structured to benefit incumbent companies – would disadvantage new entrants into the education technology market. How will the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission protect startups from ISPs that prefer better-resourced incumbents?  Finally, if this policy change aims to stimulate network investment, what guarantee will the FCC provide to ensure ISPs target underserved communities – especially rural, poorly connected school districts? Before rolling net neutrality back, the FCC should take a very cautious look at its impact on schools, students and families nationwide.”