What MDC Members Say About the FCC's Net Neutrality Rule

On December 21, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission approved an "Open Internet" order, also known as "net neutrality." Here's what our members are saying about the rule:

Free Press: "We are deeply disappointed that the chairman chose to ignore the overwhelming public support for real Net Neutrality, instead moving forward with industry-written rules that will for the first time in Internet history allow discrimination online. This proceeding was a squandered opportunity to enact clear, meaningful rules to safeguard the Internet’s level playing field and protect consumers."

Media Access Project:  “There is a reason that so many giant phone and cable companies are happy, and we are not. These rules are riddled with loopholes. They foreshadow years of uncertainty and regulatory confusion, which those carriers will use to their advantage. Those seeking to innovate and invent new uses for digital technologies face the prospect of being blocked, bilked, or intimidated by the carriers who control the pipes. And ordinary people who use the Internet for artistic, social and political expression, not to mention entertainment and gaming, will be denied the full benefits of the Internet."

New America Foundation: "Despite promising to fulfill President Obama's campaign promise of enacting Network Neutrality rules to protect an open Internet, the FCC has instead prioritized the profits of corporations like AT&T over those of the general public, Internet entrepreneurs, and local businesses across the country. Although we commend the efforts of Commissioner Copps and Clyburn to strengthen the Chairman's initial proposal, the rules they voted for are woefully inadequate for protecting the open Internet and for first time explicitly permit providers to discriminate against Internet content and applications. These failures place the Internet in peril of evolving into a system that will more and more resemble another cable network rather than an open Internet."

Public Knowledge:  “The Federal Communications Commission’s actions today on Net Neutrality fell far short of what they could have accomplished.  With just three modest changes that we and others suggested, the Commission could have established clear rules that would give more protections to Internet users than the one approved today.  Instead, these rules will be subject to manipulation by telephone and cable companies.  The Commission will have to be very serious about the enforcement of these rules in order for them to succeed."

Future of Music Coalition: “Today’s vote is meaningful in that it is a fundamental recognition of what has made the internet such a powerful platform for free expression, creativity and commerce. Although the FCC’s Order seemingly falls short of offering full protections, it does provide a framework in which those who depend on access and innovation — including musicians and music entrepreneurs — can pursue their goals in a legitimate digital music marketplace."

Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America: “The FCC is moving the ball forward to protect consumers who access the Internet through wireline connections, such as cables that connect PCs to Internet services. For a long time consumers have been left in limbo amid mounting concerns about the potential for Internet providers to show preferential treatment to certain content providers, and these new rules represent a positive step forward. As the FCC implements the rules, we look forward to working with the Commission to ensure consumers get the protections they need.  From what we know, we would prefer that the Commission provide stronger protections for wireless Internet users in addition to wireline users, as more Americans use smartphones and other wireless devices to surf the web."

Center for Media Justice: "The FCC’s vote to put in place new Network Neutrality rules that govern how broadband providers manage traffic over their networks will likely be a flop in the eyes of many low-income wireless users. While the Center for Media Justice and the more than 100 member organizations of the Media Action Grassroots Network are pleased that the FCC has passed some basic nondiscrimination rules of the road that prevent broadband operators from blocking access to any legal website or application- they remain deeply disappointed that users who primarily access the Internet through wireless devices, won’t be protected by the Network Neutrality rules passed."

Media Alliance: "While the early forecasts are not good, especially for the central issues of extending neutral network management practices to mobile connections, and cracking down on the threat of paid content prioritization, it is worth watching to see what we have achieved and what we still need to accomplish." 

OC Inc, Office of Communications, United Church of Christ:   "Today the FCC adopted an expanded set of network neutrality rules. UCC OC Inc. is pleased that we will now have more clear Internet protections online and that some protections will be given to wireless customers where there were none before.  Nonprofits and small businesses should have some comfort that they will not be asked to pay to ensure that their content will get equal billing on the Internet.  We hope that any abuses in the future will be quickly and firmly shut down by the FCC as promised. 

But UCC OC Inc. continues to be extremely worried about the legal framework of the order as it has been described--this framework will likely endanger the FCC’s power to act quickly next year to expand broadband to all Americans."

Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN-FM): "On the face of it, the FCC’s intent is laudable. However, rules matter only when they are enforced. Unfortunately, in approving these open Internet rules, the FCC did little to ensure their enforcement."

Reclaim the Media: "Today, the Federal Communications Commission held a key vote affecting rules of the road for the Internet. Unfortunately, the rules approved today fall short of Chairman Julius Genachowski's rhetoric concerning Internet openness, and stand to benefit large providers like AT&T and Comcast at the expense of end users, small businesses, and technology innovators. By treating wireless web access differently from wired broadband, the FCC's net neutrality order paves the way for a two-tiered Internet experience, with wireless users faced with predatory pricing tiers and discriminatory filtering. Latinos, rural Americans, blacks and low-income Internet users disproportionately favor wireless connections, and will be disproportionately impacted by the new rules."

National Hispanic Media Coalition: "Today the FCC enacted "network neutrality" rules, designed with the intent to preserve a level playing field for every internet user. NHMC is pleased that the FCC has moved forward to protect consumers online, however, it is deeply concerned that the rules do not go far enough to protect consumers in a number of areas, especially those that access the internet through their mobile devices."

Media Literacy Project: “We expect the FCC to protect all Internet users equally and their vote today did not do that. Instead, they chose to vote for discrimination. This will leave many mobile wireless users vulnerable to corporations who can block unsavory content or channel them towards the company’s own sites.”