Background: House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee Chmn. Ed Markey (D-MA) is expected later tonight to introduce legislation dealing with Net Neutrality and related issues. The following is the statement of Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:
“We welcome the introduction of the Internet Freedom Preservation Act by Chairman Markey and Rep. Chip Pickering. The legislation properly captures the broad policy that would ensure that open, free and accessible Internet we have known for years will continue to be open to innovation, free from the control of telephone and cable companies and accessible to everyone. The studies and public meetings that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct as a result of the bill will be helpful tools in making certain the essential character of the Internet does not change.
“At the same time, we welcome the announcement by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin of his decision to hold a field hearing Feb. 26 in Cambridge, Mass., on broadband network management practices. The hearing should prove instructive for showing the Commission and the public how the cable industry is violating the Net Neutrality principles the FCC set out in 2005. The comments to be filed tomorrow by Free Press, Public Knowledge and others will show that “reasonable network management” does not include using hacker-like technology to mask the inadequacies of the cable broadband network.”
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.