Public Knowledge Statement on AT&T Net Neutrality Letter
Public Knowledge Statement on AT&T Net Neutrality Letter
Public Knowledge Statement on AT&T Net Neutrality Letter

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    Earlier today, AT&T filed a
    letter
    with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offering the
    company’s views on Net Neutrality.

    The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and
    co-founder of Public Knowledge:

    “The latest AT&T letter to the Commission adds nothing to the
    Net Neutrality debate, and in some ways detracts from the discussion
    because it distorts the public policy positions of others.

    “AT&T has tried to draw what is an imaginary line among types
    of discrimination. The company advised the FCC that while ‘unreasonable’
    discrimination can be banned, any discrimination caused by ‘voluntary
    commercial agreements’ is just fine because the parties involved agreed
    to it. That is nonsense.

    “As we have said consistently, the Internet has functioned as well
    as it has because control of the crucial roles at each end of the
    network. Side deals made by a carrier like AT&T and a content
    provider or other company take that control out of the hands of the
    consumer.
    “Similarly, it is unfortunate that AT&T has resorted to the old
    tactic of threatening not to invest in its network if the company does
    not get what it wants in a rulemaking. The growth of the Internet will be
    driven by consumer demand, not by gimmicks. If the company is truly
    interested in consumers, it will allow consumers to remain in
    control.”

    Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.