FCC Should Reject Proposal to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON— In response to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Jessica Rosenworcel’s remarks on reinstating net neutrality rules, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Joe Kane, director of broadband and spectrum policy:

The Chairwoman's proposal would hamper the development of the Internet at a time when consumers need it most. Proponents of utility-style regulation of the Internet have been proven wrong by history. Despite their predictions of doom, the Internet thrived before and after the blip of Title II regulations five years ago.

In that time, U.S. broadband has been a success story, reaching more people with faster speeds than ever, despite remote work and learning swelling the burden on networks. This success is largely due to the billions of dollars private broadband providers invest in those networks. Title II regulations would hamper these investments and make the Internet more like a sclerotic utility than a dynamic, competitive service. The FCC should reject the proposal.