THE INTERNET ASSOCIATION FILES AT FCC IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL NET CHOICE

The Internet Association  represents the interests of America’s leading Internet companies and their global community of users, including: Airbnb, Amazon, AOL, eBay, Expedia, Facebook, Gilt, Google, IAC, LinkedIn, Lyft, Monster Worldwide, Netflix, Practice Fusion, Rackspace, reddit, Salesforce.com, SurveyMonkey, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Uber Technologies, Inc., Yelp, Yahoo!, and Zynga.  On Friday, this noteworthy association filed comments in support of the Wilson, NC and Chattanooga petitions requesting the FCC to preempt their state laws which inhibit the deployment of broadband networks.

The Internet Association called on the agency to implement pro-consumer policies to bring faster and better broadband service to all Americans, promote competition and choice in the broadband market, and protect an open Internet:

“The Internet is an indispensable tool that is necessary to stay competitive globally, and the Commission has a mandate to ensure the deployment of advanced broadband services nationwide,” said Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of The Internet Association. “Access to high speed Internet service is not a luxury in today’s economy. It is a necessity. Policymakers must encourage broadband abundance and ensure high speed Internet service is deployed everywhere.”

“The Commission is right to carefully examine state laws adopted to prevent a local government from creating a high speed broadband service, especially in municipalities that are underserved. As stated above, in conducting its assessment, the Commission should carefully examine not only whether these state laws are standing in the way of deployment of broadband into new areas, but whether they are impeding the deployment of truly advanced services.”

Get involved. File your Reply comments by September 29, 2014, under “Submit a Filing” or “Submit a Filing (Express)” found here. The dockets are 14-115 (Wilson) and 14-116 (Chattanooga).