Business groups issue warning to FCC on moving forward with net neutrality

Major business trade groups urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to think twice before continuing its pursuit of
net neutrality.

In filings with the FCC on the open Internet proceeding, which are due Monday, the National Association of Manufacturers and the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce said the FCC should resist the urge to
interfere with broadband until they have thoroughly examined all of the ramifications.

TechAmerica cautioned the FCC against reacting too hastily to the recent Comcast court decision that threw the FCC’s net neutrality agenda into question.

“The FCC should take a real hard look
at this and the consequences of it,” said Josh Lamel, senior vice
president of commercial policy and government affairs for TechAmerica,
on a conference call with reporters.

The FCC delayed the deadline
for net neutrality reply comments in light of the D.C. Circuit’s ruling
that the FCC does not have the authority to impose broadband regulations.
The FCC will likely try to reclassify broadband as a Title II service to
better fit the net neutrality framework.

“The Commission should
refrain from moving forward without congressional authority,” said
Marc-Anthony Signorino, director of technology policy for the National
Association of Manufacturers.

He said the FCC should quickly implement its plan to have a technical advisory board composed of engineers who can “examine the core issues without getting into politics.”

“Had that been in place, the whole Comcast-BitTorrent thing would never have happened,” he said.

Jason Goldman, counsel for telecommunications and e-commerce for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said there “really is intense competition” in the broadband market.

Cable, phone and wireless providers all need the flexibility to maximize the security and speed of their networks.

“We support an open Internet that benefits e-commerce,” he said. “But there’s no market failure here” to justify government intervention. The Chamber also opposes any moves to reclassify broadband as Tite II.

Check back for more comments filed Monday with the FCC.