Tomorrow, the FCC will begin the latest chapter in what is now a decades-long debate about the appropriate regulatory framework for the modern internet.
One of the many things that this raging debate obscures is that there is substantial agreement on basic principles of behavior that promote an open Internet experience for consumers. In general, consumers are and should be in charge of the internet experience. So long as their conduct is lawful and subject to a provider’s reasonable network management, internet users should have the freedom to go anywhere on the internet or to run any application with confidence that the delivery of traffic will not be blocked or throttled. That idea sits at the foundation of internet services, reflects how consumers enjoy the internet today, and despite claims to the contrary, has never truly been in jeopardy.
The cable industry is proud to be America’s largest residential broadband internet provider and we’ve always embraced and delivered a truly open internet experience to consumers. Why? Because it’s what consumers demand and what makes our business grow and thrive. It’s really that simple.
That is why we’ve placed a full-page ad in today’s Washington Post to again reaffirm our strong commitment to an open internet, and to continue delivering a fast and vibrant online experience to consumers. The ad is undersigned by cable ISPs large and small who operate in nearly every community across America, in big cities and small towns, from dense suburbs to lightly populated farming communities.
No matter what happens with this new FCC proceeding or whatever regulatory model comes next, we will continue to provide an open internet experience for our customers, and we remain willing to work with all parties on ways to promote internet freedom and continued technological progress.
Here is the ad, undersigned by member companies of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and the American Cable Association (ACA), that appeared on page A-20 in today’s Washington Post:
