Kerry: Net-neutrality legislation unlikely, FCC must act

Kerry’s statement comes soon after the FCC announced it will cancel the latest round of talks between broadband stakeholders because they had failed generate a framework to preserve the openness of the Internet. Two of those stakeholders, Google and Verizon, are reportedly close to their own agreement that has seemingly undermined the FCC’s negotiations.

S. Derek Turner, research director for the public interest group Free Press, said his organization welcomed the dissolution of the talks because of their closed-door nature. He encouraged the FCC to take decisive action to protect Internet users by pushing forward clear net-neutrality rules. Kerry, a strong supporter of net neutrality himself, also encouraged the FCC to take action using its regulatory authority.

“While we search for a long term solution I believe that all regulatory options should remain on the table,” Kerry said. “I hope that over time we can carve out a bipartisan compromise that preserves and promotes an open, ubiquitous, inclusive Internet infrastructure between Title II and an unregulated network.”