Statement on FCC Chairman Pai’s Proposed Net Neutrality Plan

Washington, DC – Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement in response to the net neutrality plan announced today by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai:

“The current FCC net neutrality rules are working and these consumer protections should not be changed. Consumers pay for access to the entire internet free from blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization. The existing 2015 Open Internet Order protects consumers from ISPs looking to play gatekeeper or prioritize their own content at the expense of competition online. Rolling back these rules or reducing the legal sustainability of the Order will result in a worse internet for consumers and less innovation online.

“The internet industry remains united and focused on outcomes. Net neutrality must be a bipartisan issue because it facilitates and fosters long term certainty, investment, and competition online. Robust net neutrality rules benefit all players in the ecosystem by attracting more people to the web and increasing demand for internet connections.

“The internet industry is continuing our efforts to defend the existing rules on the books at the FCC. It is also important for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to ensure rules survive long term with strong FCC enforcement. The internet industry will work with all stakeholders to guarantee that consumers continue to benefit from strong net neutrality rules.”

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