Net Neutrality and the Economy: Investment, Jobs, Consumer Protection

Net Neutrality and the Economy:

LIVE at 2:00pm EDT, June 21, 2017. Presented by NewAmerica.org and InternetAssociation.org.

Net Neutrality and the Economy: How the FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules Promote Investment, Create Jobs, and Protect Consumers.

The Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 net neutrality rules were a landmark achievement for consumer rights online and the United States economy. Whether it’s large internet companies, up-and-coming digital platforms, or small businesses that rely on online services to reach customers, nearly every company in some way uses the power of the internet. The net neutrality rules, which prohibit broadband companies from blocking, throttling, and creating online “slow lanes,” are crucial for economic development, job creation, and serve as a democratizing force for communication.

The FCC’s recent decision to move forward on a proposal to repeal the net neutrality rules brings an urgent need for civil society, consumer advocates, and companies large and small to fight to retain the rules that were secured two years ago.

Without the net neutrality rules, a small number of broadband companies would become gatekeepers of the internet economy and control how every American uses the internet.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn will give opening remarks. Panelists include representatives from the business and public interest communities who will discuss the economic benefits that stem from the net neutrality rules. New America’s Open Technology Institute and the Internet Association present this two panel discussion about the importance of net neutrality for consumers and small businesses.

Agenda:
2:00 pm: Introduction
Sarah Morris, @sarmorris
Senior Counsel & Director of Open Internet Policy, New America’s Open Technology Institute

2:05: Opening Remarks
Mignon Clyburn, @MClyburnFCC
Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

Michael Beckerman
President and Chief Executive Officer, Internet Association

Kevin Bankston, @KevinBankston
Director, New America’s Open Technology Institute

2:30 pm: Presentations and Discussion: Unpacking the economics of net neutrality and broadband investment

Dr. Christopher Hooton, @Hooton_Chris
Chief Economist, Internet Association

Matt Wood, @mattfwood
Policy Director, Free Press

Libby Watson, @libbycwatson
Tech Policy Writer, Gizmodo

Moderator: 

Noah Theran, @NoahTheran
Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Internet Association

3:15 pm: Panel Discussion: Understanding the full range of net neutrality benefits

Michael Cheah
General Counsel, Vimeo

Julie Stitzl, @julie_stitzel
Senior Manager, Federal Advocacy and Policy at Etsy

Anika Navaroli, @AnikaNavaroli
Senior Campaign Manager, Media and Economic Justice at Color of Change

Rachel Wolbers, @rachelwolbers
Policy Director, Engine Advocacy

Moderator:
Sarah Morris, @sarmorris
Senior Counsel & Director of Open Internet Policy, New America’s Open Technology Institute

4:00 pm: Open Mic Session and Q&A
4:45 pm: Reception and close

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DISCLAIMER

Net Neutrality: Senate Oversight Hearing of the FCC, March 8, 10am ET

Source: Statista, Jan 25, 2017.

President Donald Trump appointed Ajit Pai as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Pai is an outspoken critic of the 2015 Open Internet Order which was drafted to protect the open internet and ensure net neutrality. It basically classifies the internet as a public utility, like electricity or water, and prohibits internet service providers from blocking or throttling any (legal) content or prioritizing content from one source over another. The chart above shows major ISPs such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon have recently made, or are in the process of making, large investments in content providers. As an example, if AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner is approved, wouldn’t Comcast have an incentive to throttle consumers' internet connections when watching HBO, which belongs to its biggest competitor AT&T, and competes with its own content providers?

U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation Hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission,” March 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene the Full Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. ET, in Senate Hart Office Building, Room 216, Washington, D.C.

LIVE video (and replay) of the hearing will be available  at www.commerce.senate.gov, together with witness prepared testimony and opening statements.

FCC Chair Ajit Pai (center), FCC Commissioners (L-R) Clyburn & O'Reilly 

Witnesses:

• The Hon. Ajit Pai, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) @AjitPaiFCC
• The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, FCC Commissioner @MClyburnFCC
• The Honorable Michael O’Rielly, FCC Commissioner @MikeOFCC

Hearing Preview:
As part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, the hearing will have a broad scope covering every aspect of the agency and major policy issues before the FCC. Democrats will likely put the FCC's new Chairman, Ajit Pai, on the "hot seat" concerning his positions on net neutrality, including his recent dropping of a probe into data plans offered by T-Mobile and AT&T, as well as easing reporting requirements for smaller internet service providers. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA.) has been one of his most vocal critics and will likely confront Pai with sharp questions at the hearing.

Also note that currently, the FCC has two vacancies for commissioner and it is not yet clear when President Trump will nominate a Republican and Democrat to fill those 2 positions.

FCC website: fcc.gov

Twitter: @FCC

Chairman @AjitPaiFCC is proposing new rules to help consumers block unwanted robocalls & carriers to block calls from fake numbers.

— The FCC (@FCC) March 2, 2017

Is it illegal for me to get a robocall without consent to my wireless phone? Yes. Find out more here: https://t.co/y97pZw8rhA #NCPW2017

— The FCC (@FCC) March 6, 2017

Freaked out about Trump's assault on net neutrality? Come work for EFF on keeping the net free and openhttps://t.co/DR852uQbXx pic.twitter.com/fQ8PMG7bJa

— Cory Doctorow (@doctorow) March 3, 2017

When the New York AG sued Spectrum-Time Warner Cable, he showed what can happen without net neutrality rules. https://t.co/FeGI5hLkTL

— EFF (@EFF) March 6, 2017

2 years ago, millions of Internet users spoke up for strong #NetNeutrality rules to protect the free and open Internet. We can do it again.

— EFF (@EFF) February 27, 2017

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DISCLAIMER

Senate Committee Hearing on FCC, Open Internet Order, 2:30 pm EDT

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Hearing: Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, March 18, 2015, 2:30 PM EDT (US) - This Full Committee hearing will take place in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on the Senate Committee Hearing website.

"U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. As part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, the hearing will have a broad scope covering every aspect of the agency, from its Fiscal Year 2016 budget request to major policy issues before the Commission. This will be the Committee’s first public opportunity to directly question the Commission about its controversial Open Internet Order. The Committee is also expected to explore matters related to the modernization of the nation’s communications laws and the reauthorization of the agency, which has not occurred in 25 years." (source: US Senate Committee Hearing website, supra)

Witnesses:
- The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

UPDATE (after House hearing Tuesday): Grading Wheeler’s first day on the Hill — Now he faces the Senate — POLITICO: "Tuesday morning was a contentious one for Wheeler as he faced House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz and other Republicans on the committee. There was meticulous questioning of Wheeler’s nine meetings with White House officials over the past year, Alex reports, as Republicans tried to paint a too-cozy connection between the agency and the president. Transparency was also in the spotlight, with Chaffetz alleging the FCC has improperly responded to congressional inquiries and FOIA requests. “[Wheeler’s] demeanor set a defiant tone for the next two weeks, which will see him testify four more times before four other GOP-led committees intent on chipping away at his Internet rules,” Alex writes... Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly: “I think he did superbly well. I didn’t think they laid a glove on him. … He was firm without being disrespectful. I think he brushed aside their insinuations like a fly.”"

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