ACA Pleased Chairman Wheeler Has Committed To Bringing Issue Before The Full Commission Before The Extension Expires
PITTSBURGH, December 16, 2015 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s Consumer And Governmental Affairs Bureau’s one-year extension of the small ISP exemption from the enhanced transparency rules:
“ACA appreciates the decision of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to extend for one year the small business exemption from the Open Internet Order’s enhanced transparency requirements, even though ACA believes the record supported a permanent exemption now.
“By next December, the FCC may have completed the Paperwork Reduction Act process, which will provide greater insight as to the operation of the enhanced transparency requirements and the compliance obligations. The FCC also may have issued further guidance that clarifies how smaller providers may disclose their network’s performance characteristics and alleviates concerns regarding inadvertent non-compliance. ACA thus understands the Bureau’s position that it makes sense to address extending or making permanent the small business exemption once these actions are completed.
“ACA is pleased that the exemption did not expire and that the Chairman committed to bringing before the full Commission by next Dec. 16 the question of further extending or making the exemption permanent. ACA commends Commissioner Clyburn for her ceaseless efforts to protect small businesses and Commissioner O’Rielly for understanding that smaller ISPs do not have the leverage to harm consumers or edge providers. ACA looks forward to working with the FCC during the next year as it fleshes out and seeks clearance for its enhanced transparency requirements from the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act.”
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/