PITTSBURGH, May 20, 2016 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s new Open Internet Transparency Rule Guidance:
“ACA believes that in crafting the just-released Open Internet Transparency Rule Guidance on disclosing network performance metrics, FCC officials have properly balanced the interests of consumers and smaller Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
“ACA had expressed concern that the enhanced network performance disclosure obligations adopted in 2015 were vague and would impose undue burdens on smaller ISPs. The new guidance addresses that concern by giving smaller ISPs additional and reasonable direction on complying with the new packet-loss and geographic granularity requirements and by reiterating that smaller ISPs can continue to follow the 2011 Guidance as to acceptable methodologies to measure and disclose actual network performance.
“ACA appreciates the responsiveness of the FCC’s Chief Technologist Scott Jordan, the Office of General Counsel, and the Enforcement Bureau to ACA’s concerns. The guidance will assist smaller ISPs in fulfilling their obligation to provide consumers sufficient and understandable information about their broadband services and practices in a reasonable manner.”
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 750 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/