Industry Leaders Oppose Title II Reclassification

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) sent letters to the FCC, Senate, and House leadership Wednesday expressing their “strong opposition” to proposals by the FCC to reclassify broadband Internet as a Title II utility. Over 160 member organizations of these groups signed these letters against Title II reclassification.

 The FCC is currently considering reclassifying broadband Internet under outdated Title II regulation. However, organizations on both the tech (TIA) and manufacturing (NAM) sides oppose this inhibitive measure. Reclassifying the Internet under this antiquated standard would reduce innovation as well as harm millions of American Internet users. Furthermore, those who rely upon the Internet to do business or to transfer ideas would be significantly harmed.

Net neutrality fees for wired homes could be about $100 a year, while wireless costs could increase by about $137 per line. This increase in fees could be devastating for many low income families who are already living on a tight budget. Net neutrality, by allowing the Internet to be taxed and regulated following standards originally designed for railroads, would crush the digital economy. As online growth remains an area of American success, any measures to limit freedom are of critical concern. Defenders of Internet freedom must remain steadfast against any attempts to impose restrictive regulation upon the Internet.