Carr Slams Net Neutrality NPRM, Before Thursday Vote
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized the agency's draft NPRM renewing efforts to reestablish net neutrality rules, during a call Tuesday with reporters (see 2310130051). FCC commissioners are set to vote on the NPRM during their open meeting Thursday. Title II…
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classification of broadband "is very different than net neutrality rules" because it "has a host of sweeping regulations that are really all about control," Carr said. The "absence of action by Congress on any issue is not itself vesting of authority for the agency to do something that it doesn't have the authority to do," he said. Consumer advocates disagreed, in a separate call with reporters Tuesday. "At the end of the day, what this proceeding is about is protecting American consumers and ensuring broadband providers don't rip us off, don't discriminate against us, and that they provide reliable connections," said Free Press co-CEO Jessica Gonzalez. "We deserve better than empty promises from ISPs" and "real accountability," Gonzalez said. The FCC could use Title II authority to more effectively study broadband competition, said Public Knowledge CEO Chris Lewis. Consumers "have a right to know" the marketplace has "been given the quality oversight that it needs and that they are not paying higher prices for substandard service," Lewis said. Title II also "gives the FCC the power to close any competitive loopholes," he said.