Net Neutrality Fight Made Allies of Wireless Industry, Conservative Dark Money Organizations

A pair of telecommunications industry trade organizations gave more than $3 million to nonprofit organizations that helped secure the repeal of network neutrality policies in 2017, according to tax returns reviewed by MapLight. CTIA, a wireless industry group, and NCTA--The Internet and Television Association (formerly known as the National Cable and Television Association), emerged on the winning side of a decade-long battle over rules that required internet providers to offer equal access to all users. While it had been suspected that conservative dark money was supporting the telecommunications giants, the tax returns reveal they funneled millions to nonprofits that supported pushing their anti-regulatory agenda into another daily part of American life.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a notorious “bill mill” for conservative state legislators that’s funded by libertarian billionaire Charles Koch, was among the more high-profile conservative dark money organizations that received CTIA money in 2017. Records show the trade association gave ALEC a $17,000 grant. Like the wireless carrier organization, NCTA also contributed heavily to Koch-funded nonprofit organizations including Americans for Tax Reform ($50,000); American Commitment ($20,000); the Arlington (VA)-based Mercatus Center ($100,000); and Americans for Prosperity ($10,000), the Koch network’s flagship political organization.