The nation’s largest telecommunications providers, who have largely opposed Net Neutrality regulations over the last two years, sounded off on the “Day of Action” in support of the Open Internet rules, while rejecting Net Neutrality’s reclassification of ISPs. Page: 1
The nation’s largest telecom providers, who have in the past opposed net neutrality regulations, weighed in on Wednesday’s high-profile “Net Neutrality Day of Action” in support of an open internet while rejecting the FCC’s reclassification of internet service providers.
More than 80,000 tech giants, websites, and activists took to the internet to take part in the online protest against the Federal Communications Commission’s plans to reverse the Title II classification of internet service providers as telecommunications carriers. The telecom heavyweights also voiced their support for the idea of an open internet, including Dallas-based AT&T.
AT&T acknowledged that its support for Net Neutrality’s Day of Action could be seen as an “anomaly, ” but the carrier said in a blog post that it has long embraced the idea that “an open internet is critical for ensuring freedom of expression and a free flow of ideas and commerce in the United States and around the world.” However, the carrier wants to get rid of the current Title II regulations. In their place, AT&T wants Congress to “pass a law to ensure consumers are always protected and all internet companies compete on a level playing field under a single set of rules.”
[Related: What A Trump Presidency Could Mean For Net Neutrality, Cybersecurity And Telecom Consolidation]
Tech companies in favor of net neutrality who want to keep the current FCC rules in place include Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter.
The principle of net neutrality came under fire in May when the FCC, led by Republican Ajit Pai, announced its move to repeal the Title II regulations. The FCC’s Open Internet Order, which contained reclassification of internet service providers as telecom carriers under Title II of the Communications Act, was passed in 2015 by a 3-2 vote under the leadership of Tom Wheeler, the former FCC chairman appointed by President Barack Obama.
The FCC’s Open Internet Order states that broadband providers should not interfere with consumers or companies that are using connectivity to access apps, websites and web services, even if those services compete with the broadband providers directly. The regulations also reclassified broadband internet providers as “Title II common carriers, ” deeming their services a public utility, and allowing them to be regulated as such.
Channel partners told CRN in November following the election of President Donald Trump that the new administration could impact existing policies and “relax” net neutrality regulations. The majority of the telecom providers have stated that while in favor of an open internet, they are not behind the Title II designation.
Basking Ridge, N. J.-based Verizon, for one, said that while it “respects and applauds” the companies and people taking part in the Day of Action, the answer doesn’t lie in imposing utility regulations on internet providers.
Will Johnson, senior vice president of federal regulatory and legal affairs for Verizon also said in a statement that the carrier supports the open internet. “The open internet is good for consumers and critical for our business, ” he said.
