Google, Verizon: We support minimal Internet regulation

They continued: “The FCC underscores the importance of creating the right climate for private investment and market-driven innovation to advance broadband. That’s the right approach and why we are encouraged to see the FCC’s plan.”

The op-ed isn’t especially telling as it lists the benefits of broadband every policy maker and tech executive have preached about over the past year: ubiquitous high-speed Internet will promote innovation in healthcare, education and job training, as well as a new industry in smart electricity grid technology.

Google and Verizon also agree that public organizations need to work together with private firms to reach the plan’s goals.

“As the FCC’s plan acknowledges, to make advanced networks broadly available and otherwise drive important changes online, we need both private investment and partnerships between governments and private companies,” the op-ed says.

That’s why Verizon has invested tens of billions of dollars over the past five years to deploy fiber networks. It’s also why Google is planning to test a one-gig-per-second broadband network in “one or more” communities, the CEO’s said.

Google received more than 600 applications from around the country for it’s test project; the deadline was Friday. Last week, Verizon executive Tom Tauke gave a high-profile speech in which he called on Congress to resolve the debate over whether the FCC has jurisdiction to regulate the Internet.