JK press release on the status of net neutrality debate

[Luftmensch067]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2010

Kerry Renews Call for an Open Internet

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), today issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s request for additional comment on its outstanding proceeding on the rules necessary to preserve and promote an open Internet.

"The FCC's request yesterday for additional comment has obviously created a Washington back and forth between stakeholders with long held, deeply felt beliefs and interests. Given my advocacy for net neutrality, I certainly understand why there are strong views on this issue. But rather than retreat to our predictable corners, this should be a time when everyone takes a deep breath and continues to engage in a constructive process.

"The debate over the last year on the open Internet and the role of government in preserving it has effectively narrowed the scope of disagreement. Now all responsible parties recognize that wireline and wireless broadband service do, will, and should fall within the scope of the FCC. All now agree that network owners should not pick losers and winners at the edge of the network or act as a bottleneck to innovation or gatekeeper to consumers. That's progress.

"On the other side of the debate, responsible parties recognize that the broadband market of today is more diverse than the telephone network of my youth and the service itself is much more complex, part necessity for democracy, education, and discourse, part entertainment and commercial tool. The FCC is stating that it has a role to play in preserving open, ubiquitous, and accessible communications networks and that the wires and airwaves that constitute that network are and should be subject to oversight and regulation. It is both fair and smart, however, to ask how best to execute that responsibility and apply those values given the modern infrastructure and changing landscape. I remain open to and am actively working on a legislative solution to ensure that law reflects the growing consensus that the Open Internet must be preserved and promoted, but I also believe that the FCC has the authority, ability, and responsibility to use its regulatory authority under existing law to preserve internet freedom with or without a new law. In short, let's stay at it, because this vigorous debate strengthens the ultimate outcome."