Broadband firms want ‘unfettered power,’ FCC chair says

  • Los Angeles Times
  • Friday, March 27, 2015 3:35pm
  • Business

WASHINGTON — The nation’s biggest broadband providers oppose tough net neutrality regulations because they want “unfettered power” over the Internet, the head of the Federal Communications Commission said Friday.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the “avalanche of arguments” against regulations designed to ensure the free flow of online traffic showed that the indusry’s major firms had ulterior motives.

“We should conclude that the biggest broadband providers in the land have one objective – to operate free from control by their customers and free from oversight from government,” Wheeler said in a speech at Ohio State University.

“If they succeed, then, for the first time in America’s communications history, private gatekeepers will have unfettered power to control commerce and free expression,” he said.

The Democratic-controlled FCC approved the regulations last month on a party-line 3-2 vote. They prohibit broadband providers from blocking, slowing or selling faster delivery of legal content flowing through their networks to consumers.

Broadband providers have said they are committed to those principles, but opposed the FCC’s decision to enact the rules by classifying broadband as a more highly regulated telecommunications service.

On Monday, the USTelecom trade group and Alamo Broadband Inc., a small Texas provider, sued the FCC to stop the regulations. Other industry associations and possibly some additional providers are expected to join the legal effort, which could take three years to resolve.

Wheeler e said the FCC’s order addressed the problem federal judges raised last year when they tossed out the agency’s 2010 net neutrality regulations.

In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the FCC had tried to enact restrictions similar to those faced by so-called common carriers without classifying broadband for that type of oversight.

“We have addressed that issue, which is the underlying issue in all of the debates we’ve had so far,” Wheeler said. “That gives me great confidence going forward that we will prevail.”

Although Wheeler has promised a light regulatory approach to broadband, Republicans on the FCC and in Congress strongly opposed the reclassification of broadband service.

Wheeler attended five congressional hearings over eight days, ending Wednesday, in which he defended the FCC’s actions.

But he provided a more lengthy and full-throated defense in the speech Friday at his alma mater, offering some of his sharpest criticism of big broadband firms such as AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp.

“We can have an open Internet policy that advances the interests of tens of thousands of innovators, and millions of Internet users; or we can have an open Internet policy that advances the interests of a few powerful companies,” Wheeler said.

“The choice is clear. And I’m proud that the commission has made the right choice, adopting strong, sustainable, and sensible open Internet protections,” he said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

The livery on a Boeing plane. (Christopher Pike / Bloomberg)
Former Lockheed Martin CFO joins Boeing as top financial officer

Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer is being replaced by a former CFO at… Continue reading

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

A standard jet fuel, left, burns with extensive smoke output while a 50 percent SAF drop-in jet fuel, right, puts off less smoke during a demonstration of the difference in fuel emissions on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost

A planned research and development center focused on sustainable aviation… Continue reading

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Pharmacist John Sontra and other employees work on calling customers to get their prescriptions transferred to other stores from the Bartell Drugs Pharmacy on Hoyt Avenue on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bartell Drugs location shutters doors in Everett

John Sontra, a pharmacist at the Hoyt Avenue address for 46 years, said Monday’s closure was emotional.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.