Why Silicon Valley Actually Had a Pretty Good Day in DC

[Commentary] Despite all the hand-wringing statements about network neutrality that Silicon Valley companies were shooting out, tech actually had a pretty good day in DC.

While Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler’s fast-lane/slow-lane net neutrality proposal was taking a beating on all sides (even Chairman Wheeler took a few whacks at it), Internet companies sneaked through a huge victory when the agency agreed to set aside up to three channels of TV airwaves for unlicensed use.

That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it’s something that Google, Microsoft and other tech companies have spent years advocating.

The Internet Association, which represents Google, Facebook, Twitter and other Internet companies, said it will “advocate for the FCC to use its full legal authority to enforce rules that lead to an open Internet -- nothing should be taken off the table as this discussion evolves.”

And Netflix issued a statement saying, “Netflix is not interested in a fast lane; we’re interested in safeguarding an Open Internet.”

Was the FCC’s vote the victory that Internet companies wanted? No. But net neutrality advocates appear to be better positioned today to make the case for Title II than they were before.