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AT&T, Comcast & Verizon Trot Out Their Best Net Neutrality Snark

The mega-ISPs have shared their thoughts on today's FCC net neutrality ruling, and you'll be shocked and surprised to learn that they don't much like it. AT&T, for example, insisted in a blog post that the FCC's since-overturned 2010 net neutrality rules (which did little and didn't cover wireless) were good enough, and that the unprecedented public-supported effort to pass tougher rules was a horrible example of "rigidity" and a failure on the part of new FCC boss Tom Wheeler:

quote:
Every chairman in my memory, including the current one, has faced political stampedes of one sort or another. Yet the agency has always tried to find a middle ground and a consensus win. They’ve understood that a win, unlike a fight, is the product of reaching out to both sides, and working in a bipartisan way to find a solution. A win is the product of compromise, thoughtful policy, and a genuine desire to find the answer to a complex set of issues.
Of course every Chairman before Wheeler, whether it was Martin, Genachowski, or Powell, actually went out of his way to avoid saying no to AT&T, going so far as to let them co-write the 2010 rules. Wheeler, despite being a former lobbyist for the wireless industry, was the first FCC boss in a very long time to stand up to AT&T to the shock of everyone. Still, AT&T says that whatever happens, it will do its best to protect the public from "animosity, exaggeration, demonization and fear-mongering" moving forward.

Meanwhile, Verizon tried to have a sense of humor about the day's events, posting a blog entry written entirely in Morse code. When you look for a translation (pdf), Verizon offers up a press release that appears to be written by an old typewriter.

Click for full size
Verizon's consistently tried to argue that because Title II is older law, it can't be applied to modern networks, thus the Morse code (get it?). From Verizon's complaint:
quote:
Today the Federal Communications Commission approved an order urged by President Obama that imposes rules on broadband Internet services that were written in the era of the steam locomotive and the telegraph...Today’s decision by the FCC to encumber broadband Internet services with badly antiquated regulations is a radical step that presages a time of uncertainty for consumers, innovators and investors.
Of course just because a law is old doesn't mean it's useless. Just ask the Constitution, or the Communications Act or Telecommunications Act, without which Verizon wouldn't own the spectrum that makes them possible as a corporate entity. Meanwhile, Verizon continues to insist the FCC's creating "regulatory uncertainty," when it was Verizon's decision to sue over rules the rest of the broadband industry had no problem with. Have we mentioned Verizon's fine with "antiquated" Title II when it gives them massive tax breaks?

Comcast had a less humorous blog post by "Chief Diversity Officer" David Cohen, who hinted at investment cutbacks and litigation:

quote:
Specifically, after seeing the Order, we’ll have to engage in additional internal scrutiny on what our investment plans with respect to broadband will be going forward. After today, the only "certainty" in the Open Internet space is that we all face inevitable litigation and years of regulatory uncertainty challenging an Order that puts in place rules that most of us agree with.
Protip for Comcast: you can avoid "inevitable litigation and years of regulatory uncertainty" by not suing! Of course the inevitable mega-ISP lawsuit will only come once ISP lawyers have a chance to examine the rules for weak spots, and as noted earlier today the actual release won't arrive until the dissenting FCC Commissioners include their opposition notes.

It's entirely possible AT&T, Verizon and Comcast may finally realize what ISPs like Sonic, Sprint, Frontier and Cablevision have been saying all along -- that the rules really don't hurt their businesses whatsoever, but given their history it seems fairly unlikely that the triplet mega-ISPs will be able to resist a full frontal legal assault.

Most recommended from 31 comments


masterbinky
join:2011-01-06
Carlsbad, NM

6 recommendations

masterbinky

Member

They'll read it sooner than that

Of course they will get the rules before the "actual" release. How else will they fill out the dissenting FCC Commissioners' opposition notes for them.

davidc502
join:2002-03-06
Mount Juliet, TN

6 recommendations

davidc502

Member

The victims - because of the lack of neutrality

As someone who's been the victim of the lack of net neutrality - I was very polarized to do whatever I could to support new legislation that would help ensure it.

This never would have come to pass if the big ISP abided by the rules to begin with.

They have themselves to blame for this wild swing in neutrality. So, I have zero sympathy for them now.
dkreck
join:2011-02-09
Bakersfield, CA

3 recommendations

dkreck

Member

Get what you wish for

Sure I hate the big ISPs and they have abused customers many many times. If you somehow think government will offer up something better well good luck on that. Since when won't lobbyist get the rule makers in their grip? Layers and layers of bureaucratic rules. It's Obamanet.

The people have spoken.
Now they will get what they want and they'll get it good and hard.
IMarvinTPA
join:2006-04-18
Franklin, VA

2 recommendations

IMarvinTPA

Member

What I would have done.

I would have put something at the end of the policy that said:
"If we get sued over this and we win, we will stop foregoing the rate regulation provision."

Give them a reason to think twice about suing them over it.

IMarv
mikesco8
join:2006-02-17
Southwick, MA

2 recommendations

mikesco8

Member

It is no coincidence...

The only ones complaining about title ii and the net neutrality regulation are the ones who are trying to abuse their market dominance. None of the smaller ISP's are in a position to extort additional revenue from internet content providers. This clearly levels the playing field and the big three are going to cry! I feel so bad for them!!!
Corporate
join:2014-10-04

2 recommendations

Corporate

Member

The Enemy of Your Enemy is Your Friend

These ISPs need to team up and start paying off politicians to get the Title II rules reversed. Municipal broadband and line-sharing is terrible for consumers as it introduces competition. This will oversaturate the market and drive prices down for consumers, and decrease profits to a break-even point for companies.

Once this happens, smaller companies will go bankrupt and then, ultimately, will be acquired by the larger companies and the full circle completes again (think Bell breakup).