By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 6-11-18
As activists talking web doom and gloom pushed for a congressional rollback of the FCC’s network neutrality rule deregulation taking effect Monday, fans of the FCC move were weighing in, including calling for Congress to step in to create new rules not based in Title II common carrier regulatory authority.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai took to CNET in an op ed to make his case for the pro-competition, pro-consumer impact of his Restoring Internet Freedom Order.
“The bottom line is that our regulatory framework will both protect the free and open internet and deliver more digital opportunity to more Americans,” Pai said. “It’s worked before and it will work again. Our goal is simple: better, faster, cheaper internet access for American consumers who are in control of their own online experience. And that’s what the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order will deliver.”
Pai has argued that the 2015 Title II-based rules discouraged innovation and investment, including in the rural broadband he sees as key to closing the digital divide. He also says combining the FCC’s new transparency requirements and the Federal Trade Commissions newly restored–as of Monday–power to regulate broadband can sufficiently protect an open internet. » Read More