Former FCC Boss Tom Wheeler isn't particularly impressed with his replacement at the FCC (Ajit Pai), and says the former Verizon lawyer has one real goal in removing net neutrality protections: making life easier on uncompetitive broadband monopolies. Speaking at a forum in Virginia last week (full video), Wheeler was quick to again highlight that three quarters of the United States lacks the choice of more than one broadband provider at speeds greater than 25 Mbps, something that gives them unprecedented power.
"When you've only got one provider, who makes the rules? The provider makes the rules," Wheeler said.
With Ajit Pai looking to repeal the popular consumer protections, "the question becomes, will giant companies be able to exploit their monopoly position?" Wheeler said. "Who is going to stand up for consumers? Who is going to stand up for innovation? And who is going to stand up for the most important network for determining our future in the 21st century?"
With industry giants and one-time net neutrality allies like Google and Netflix now getting sheepish on the subject as they lobby the Trump administration for favors of their own, small companies, startups, entrepreneurs and consumers are really all that's standing in the way of giant ISP lobbyists this time around. Most of them are participating in a July 12 day of action protecting the FCC's decision, both online and off.
"The Trump FCC has announced in no uncertain terms that they intend to repeal the rules that are now in place at the request of these handful of companies," Wheeler said. The former FCC Boss said the FCC "got a letter from 800 entrepreneurs, saying, 'you can't do that because you'll threaten our access, our ability to... reach consumers,'" Wheeler said. "We'll have to go and say, 'mother may I' to get on the networks. We won't be able to compete with the big guys who have deep pockets to pay for your fast lanes. 800 [entrepreneurs] vs. four [ISPs]."
While Ajit Pai has made it pretty clear he intends to ignore public comments in support of net neutrality when he votes to kill the rules later this year, Wheeler made it clear that there will be ample chances to shut the effort down via subsequent lawsuits.
"The votes are there, Republicans control, they’ve announced they’re going to repeal it, and we the people have to say no, and take it to court,” Wheeler said.