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Here is the letter, verbatim:
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
The deployment of broadband service is a national imperative — as important to our nation’s economic success, growth and competitiveness as the postal roads, canals, rail lines, and interstate highways of the past.
Following the D.C. Circuit Court’s Comcast decision earlier this year, the Commission’s regulatory authority with respect to this vital engine of our economy was upended. Accordingly, the initiation in May of a proceeding on Commission authority was an appropriate and tailored response to the Court’s Comcast ruling. Reclassification and clear FCC oversight as contemplated by your “Third Way” proposal is critically important for bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans and achieving the goals set forth in the landmark National Broadband Plan, including advancement of consumer welfare, energy independence and efficiency, job creation and other national priorities.
The recent proposal by Google and Verizon of an industry-centered net neutrality policy framework reinforces the need for resolution of the current open proceedings at the Commission to ensure the maintenance of an open Internet. Rather than expansion upon a proposal by two large communications companies with a vested financial interest in the outcome, formal FCC action is needed. The public interest is served by a free and open Internet that continues to be an indispensable platform for innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, and free speech.
As the Commission’s broadband proceeding moves forward, we believe that the Commission should be guided by the following fundamental principles:
The FCC must have oversight authority for broadband access services.
The United States has fallen behind other nations in terms of broadband deployment and adoption because of the failure to properly plan for its development and support its use; however, the National Broadband Plan represents a monumental step towards increasing deployment and adoption and unleashing the power of high speed access to create jobs, improve health care delivery, upgrade public safety tools and expand educational opportunities. Without the proper authority to implement all facets of the Plan, we will not fulfill its full promise or achieve its goals. Classification of broadband access service under Title II, combined with the Commission’s forbearance authority, would provide the necessary certainty for broadband network operators, broadband users, and Internet innovators alike.
Paid prioritization would close the open Internet.
Paid prioritization is contrary to the fundamental non-discrimination principles that have made the Internet the most successful communications and commercial medium in history. Such arrangements would favor certain content providers to the detriment of other content creators, degrading the traffic of providers unable or unwilling to pay. These types of arrangements, whether they are called paid prioritization or fast lanes harm the Internet. A commonsense non-discrimination requirement without loopholes is essential for an efficient marketplace where businesses and consumers — not carriers — decide the winners and losers in the Internet ecosystem. We strongly encourage you to reject any policy proposals that would permit paid prioritization of delivery of Internet content.
Wired and wireless services should have a common regulatory framework and rules.
Exclusion of wireless services from open Internet requirements could widen the digital divide by establishing a substandard, less open experience for traditionally underserved regions and demographic groups that may more often need to access or choose to access the Internet on a mobile device. Moreover, such inconsistent principles could confuse consumers, who would have different and uneven experiences depending solely on the connection that their mobile devices might use to reach the Internet. An Internet framework excluding wireless from important consumer safeguards could impede attainment of national broadband goals, while lessening the potential for wireless platforms to serve unserved and underserved areas.
Broad “managed services” exceptions would swallow open Internet rules.
An overbroad definition of the proposed “managed services” category would sap the vitality and stunt the growth of the Internet. In fact, an overly broad interpretation of managed services would create an exception that swallows the rule. For example, managed services might be rebranded or repackaged services and applications — only with priority treatment not available to competitors. By undermining competition and the value of the open Internet, managed services could have significantly negative consequences for consumers and commercial enterprises.
In sum, we believe that any rules that result from the Commission’s proceedings should focus on adherence to the public interest, discourage attempts to strangle the free-flow of lawful content, applications and services for American consumers and provide certainty both for entrepreneurs and Internet users. The time for FCC action is now. We look forward to continuing to work with you and other members of the Commission to ensure that the Commission’s Open Internet proceeding moves forward to protect the public interest.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jay Inslee
Rep. Ed Markey
Rep. Anna Eshoo
Rep. Mike Doyle
Source: Jay Inslee for Congress
[Attribution: IDG News. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Kevin N.” for the heads up.]
Paid prioritization is just a form of profiteering.
Profiteering always defeats itself in the quest for money.
I’m sure what will follow here is a sensible, level headed discussion about politics…… BWAHAHA who am I kidding.
@ Macromancer
OMG! OMG! 4 Democrats from the gubmint! Then it has to be wrong. We must need to close down the interweb’s tubes right away! Let Google and Verizon show us the enlightened way through the wireless premium model just like cell phones: pay for sending and receiving with plans for every minute.
Not sure what is worst, letting the money greed criminal whores of Google and Verizon, or the corrupt ignorant politians control the Internet.
Let the ISPs and the open market control it like is now. If some provider decides to throttle traffic, their customers will go to smother provider that doesn’t.
Here’s a good perspective
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-whats-missing-from-all-the-net-neutrality-blather-nothing-bad-is-going-to-happen-if-net-neutrality-dies-2010-8
@ Ubermac
Let the ISPs and the open market control it like is now. If some provider decides to throttle traffic, their customers will go to smother provider that doesn’t.
Except not everybody has a choice of ISP. I would ditch Comcast in a second if I could, but there is no legitimate competitor in my area.
We will throw out the oppressives on November 2, 2010, thereby neutering the empty suit in the white house and rendering him impotent until he, too, can be disposed of in 2012.
Mark my words.
MDN MW: “girls.” Tell the “girls” not to get too comfortable, Barry.
Ain’t deregulation wonderful? I mean, I have a choice for my local phone provider of Verizon or….
Well, then there’s my cable TV. I have a choice of Comcast or…um.
Well at least deregulation has made air travel so much more pleasant and inexpens…
Oh, never mind.
Mark my words.
Try forming them into an intelligent sentence first.
@First 2010, then 2012
Keep your Tea bagging B.S to Yourself,
You F***ing moron.
@2010
That’s gonna happen because you did so well in 2008 didn’t ya!
Zeke, dumbass, behold:
1) VOIP; 2) get a dish and point it to the sky; 3) the airlines’ problems are from other factors than less government meddling.
Just because you cannot identify options to your current desired services doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
Likewise, just because you cannot understand why the air travel industry is in trouble, doesn’t mean that fscking more government idiocy is the answer, moron.
Do us all favor and don’t vote until you get a bit older and wise up.
Australians are going to vote on Saturday on exactly the same thing. Labor want a National Fiber network party own by government and private investors. The Liberals want to do a half as s job and just patch it up.
We’ll see what you foolish Libs have to say on November 3rd.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/141032/2010-conservatives-outnumber-moderates-liberals.aspx
Zeke
Depending on where you live, you should have a choice between Verizon and your cable company for phone and internet.
You should also have a choice for video between your cable company and satellite (Dish or DirecTV), and eventually Verizon, if they are not packaged together already.
You will also have a choice in the next 2-3 years to go wireless for your internet and phone (if not already).
If you live in BFE, you will not get any better service from anyone till a profitable business plan evolves, or until the government subsidizes and controls it.
Financial Times
August 16 2010
“All signs point to major losses for the Democratic party in the US midterm elections this November. The recovery is slowing, while recent job figures have all but ended hopes that unemployment will fall fast enough to change voter’s minds.”
“Voters’ views of congressional candidates nonetheless display a pattern consistent with big Republican gains.”
“Self-proclaimed independents are also increasingly conservative. And survey after survey shows that conservatives are far more enthusiastic about going to the polls.”
“For most of the previous decade, when conservatives dominated US politics, a steady majority believed that “government should do more to solve problems”. About a year ago that changed; a majority now thinks ‘government is doing too many things.’ The shift is especially sharp among independents.”
“Despite all these indicators, whether Democrats actually lose matters less than commentators assume. Even if they cling on, Mr Obama will not be able to muster the 60 votes in the Senate needed to surmount Republican procedural obstacles. So whatever happens, he will be forced to negotiate with an emboldened Republican opposition.”
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8abc1c18-a968-11df-a6f2-00144feabdc0.html
When Obama was elected, we cried, too – over the 4 years about to be wasted.
We will begin reversing the damage this November, but it will take years to correct what’s already been inflicted by Carter II and his band of idiots in Congress.
2010 will make 1994 look like a small Republican victory.
First 2010, then 2012,
Save your Youtube special interest and other conservative supported polls for your conspiracy theories.
You have posted Nothing but a Right leading agenda supported polls and information, Paid for by the party you support, Whatever that may be, But you are obviously Anti American and support those who put us in this mess in the first place.
You may scream and yell all you want on how you are so well educated that you can foretell the future, But all of delusional people have spouted the same redrick you are, And then disappear in the cracks when even proof of your insanity is presented.
You will believe what you will and close your eyes and wish real hard but it won’t make it so.
But you are entitled to your freedom of untruth vocal F.U.D, And the rest of us that see you for what you are will keep trying to understand how a person and small groups can believe all the hate you throw out. But it still won’t cloud the real truth.
Read History and learn from the past and understand your hate will destroy what this country has left, Then the few, if any that remain will start the cycle all over again.
Wash- Rinse- Repeat, Wash- Rinse- Repeat, Wash- Rinse- Repeat…
No One Wins but those who sell the lies and then only for a short time. The real loss is people like you who believe the nonsense you try to sell and really believe it as truth, You are only a follower since this is much easier for you since being a leader takes a stronger mind. But hate has a way of making it sound like it’s the most prudent thing to hold onto.
It’s the strongest of all emotions, and has many followers, Misery loves Company.
Enjoy for now, since it’s the only thing you have to sustain your delusions.
Google preaches openness when it is in their best interest. Open software means that they can use other peoples technology, and it benefits them. An open Internet is not in their best interests, so they are against it.
Sure they sugar coated that pill and expect us to swallow it. In fact they did a good job of coating it. Not enough people are upset about it. Too many get upset about stupid things like Antennagate, and not the important things, like Net Neutrality.
Net Neutrality is one of the biggest issues of our time and no one seems to pay much attention to it, nor do they know much about it.
I for one am not going to pay extra money, nor do I expect Apple to pay more money, so that I can get my iTunes content faster. The cable companies and telcos who provide the pipe are also in either indirect or indirect competition with Apple. They are in a good position to screw over Apple or any other potential competitor in their other markets.
“Republican candidates have jumped out to a record-setting 12-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, August 15, 2010. This is the biggest lead the GOP has held in over a decade of Rasmussen Reports surveying.
“A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely Voters would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate, while 36% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent. Support for Republicans is up two points from the previous week, while support for Democrats dropped three points.Republicans have led on the Generic Congressional Ballot since June of last year, and their lead hasn’t fallen below five points since the beginning of December. Three times this year, they’ve posted a 10-point lead.”
“Eighty-three percent (83%) of Republicans back their party’s candidate, while 75% of Democrats support the candidate of their party. Voters not affiliated with either party prefer the GOP candidate by a 52% to 21% margin.”
We are coming hard this November. Watch and see. It’s going to be beautiful!
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot
Yeah, that last Republican administration was awesome!. Hard to list all the great deeds. That Obama guy came in and caused a world wide depression in just one month, got us into two wars, heavily subsidized his buddies in Big Oil, ran roughshod over our Constitution with warrantless wiretapping, tried to set up the Executive Office to be all powerful…..whew, I’m tired.
@ Smaller Gov’t Now,
Why don’t you enlighten all of us to your vast storehouse of wisdom and knowledge pertaining to deregulation, business, economics and government?
I’m sure we would be captivated and fascinated by your brilliant, intellectually inspired words. Take your time, we can wait.
But, if your smart-assed comment to Zeke is all you’ve got, then I suggest you keep your moronic ideas stuffed in that syphilitic, puss filled brain cavity that apparently has no useful purpose.
First 2010, Then 2012,
The look on the faces of those who can’t – or won’t – see what is clearly coming will be priceless!
jax44,
Obama’s approval ratings hit new all-time lows:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html
The Second Republican Revolution starts this November 2nd.
@Smaller Gov’t Now
Satellite has latency issues that is not acceptable for real time data streaming. Gaming, and system monitoring and control are perfect examples. Gamers will get fragged before they know it and system that you are monitoring will not get your commands as quickly as you need.
There are other issues too, but I will not get into them. The bottom line is that satellite is not the answer for a lot of people for a lot of reasons. You are over simplifying the issue.