The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should move quickly under its clear authority to establish a reliable framework to protect broadband access service, Public Knowledge (PK) told the Commission in comments filed earlier today.

The text of the filing is here.

In its filing, PK said, “Public Knowledge provides clear evidence that Title II classification can be used to establish bright-line distinctions based on the service offered. More importantly, straightforward, technology-neutral rules will help provide critical certainty to future innovation.”

PK explained that without further action, the FCC will be unable to implement key elements of the National Broadband Plan: “[T]here is nothing in the record to suggest that the Commission can achieve its wide-ranging goals for broadband access service without Title II. The National Broadband Plan, access programs such as the Universal Service Fund, and public safety regimes all require the firm legal ground that only Title II classification can provide.” PK stressed the importance of Title II's ability to provide a clear, uniform framework for establishing the FCC’s authority: “[T]he Commission cannot rely on patchy, ad-hoc authority to achieve the goals of the NBP.”

The following is attributed to Sherwin Siy, Deputy Legal Director of Public Knowledge: “The FCC must properly classify broadband access service under Title II in order to implement the National Broadband Plan, protect consumers, and preserve the open Internet. Classifying broadband access service as a telecommunications service accurately reflects both the underlying legal and marketplace realities.”

Contact: Sherwin Siy
             Mehan Jayasuriya
             202-861-0020
             ssiy@publicknowledge.org
             mehan@publicknowledge.org