Major Internet Service Providers (ISP) in the United States has warned on Tuesday the Federal Communications Commission over the proposed Title II Internet Access Classification, saying that “it would be a profound mistake that would only give more harm and long-lasting negative consequences to consumers and economy.”
In a letter to FCC Chairperson Julius Genchowski, ISPs said that the move to classify Internet access as Title II service (making Internet service subject to common carrier regulations) would hurt the consumers more than it would do them good.
Comcast was not included in the letter.
It will be recalled that the FCC announced that it will put ISPs under Title II of the Communications Act to establish a clearer and more organized control in upholding the Internet neutrality of all the providers.
Putting the ISPs under telecommunications regulations would help the agency to control the content being offered by the companies rather than putting it under the lighter terms of information services, which was earlier being implemented by the commission.
But the ISPs strongly opposed the new proposal, saying there is already an on-going consensus on how to achieve the best possible terms in achieving the open Internet policy of President Barack Obama.
“The on-going efforts are really productive and there is no need in putting ISP companies under Title II,” a spokesperson of the organizations said.
Among those who have signed the letter were Time Warner, AT&T, Verizon, Qwest, National Cable & Telecommunications Association and other major wireless and phone firms in the US.
The companies warned the FCC that the move to put them under Title II of the Communications Act would “plunge” the industry into dark ages, adding that it would add “years of litigation and regulatory chaos”.
The companies also cited that the new regulations would hamper the government’s goal to achieve the 100 Mbps broadband speed to more than 100 million households in the US by 2020.