PITTSBURGH, Dec. 21, 2010 – “The American Cable Association stressed in filings that imposition of Title II common carrier regulation would have inflicted costly and disproportionate burdens on small broadband Internet providers, stifling investment and innovation especially in rural areas where deployment costs run higher than average. ACA appreciates that under Chairman Genachowski’s leadership, the FCC reconsidered the Title II option and has advanced a template that appears to give providers appropriate pricing and network management flexibility under a light touch framework that attempts to balance the interests of consumers, innovators and access providers. At some point soon, ACA encourages the FCC to close the Title II docket to reassure stakeholders that such a heavy-handed approach is no longer under serious consideration.
“While generally optimistic ahead of the release of the text of the rules, ACA will need to review carefully the FCC’s order to ensure that the regulations are calibrated such that they do not unduly constrain what are otherwise perfectly lawful business practices designed to maximize the broadband experience for each consumer, including pricing plans matched to actual usage and download speed requirements. From the beginning, the Internet has thrived in the absence of government controls. ACA trusts that today’s FCC rulemaking honors that tradition via regulations that inspire people to innovate rather than litigate.”
About the American Cable Association
Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7.6 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/