Verizon's Tom Tauke says he still thinks a fifth Federal Communications Commission principle on broadband network nondiscrimination is unnecessary, but he also recognizes the political reality that there was an election and there appears to be some momentum for movement on the nondiscrimination front in the administration, in Congress, and at the FCC. Tauke pointed out that the company's positions have previously evolved. "We were wary of some of the past activities that have been proposed at the FCC and didn't always embrace the notion upfront but gradually got to the point where we'd say, 'OK, these four principles we think we can live with these.'" He said he expects that is the kind of dialog that will be going on in the future. Tauke also tried to make the case for why such a principle was unnecessary, which is that increasing broadband competition has already driven the market to more openness. "We generally support the notion of open Internet. We are trying to give customers access to products and services they want. We believe the market and the forces of history and technology push you in the direction of opening and not blocking and denying and restricting." He said that is consistent with what the new administration wants, "so, it seems to me there should be a way to get some policy."
