Latest Assault on Net Neutrality Launched at Telecommunications Industry-Funded Think Tank

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House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) addressed the Free State Foundation to announce his new plan to undermine recently enacted network neutrality rules by going after the funding of the Federal Communications Commission, the agency behind the decision. The FCC’s approach to net neutrality represents “potential untenable rules and regulatory overreach that will hurt consumers,” said Chairman Walden, speaking at the foundation’s annual Telecom Policy Conference.

Chairman Walden outlined a plan to limit FCC appropriations, cap its other revenue sources, and change the hiring process for the FCC’s inspector general. David Segal, co-founder of Demand Progress, a pro-net neutrality group, said Chairman Walden’s remarks “underscore his allegiance to corporate interests.” Chairman Walden’s choice of venue is telling. According to tax filings by two cable and wireless trade associations, the Free State Foundation has received nearly half a million dollars from the trade associations over the last five years. CTIA-The Wireless Association -- representing Verizon, AT&T and Motorola, among others -- gave the foundation $213,750. The National Cable and Telecommunications Association, the trade group for Comcast and other major cable companies, provided $280,000 to the foundation. The two trade groups intend to file a lawsuit to block the FCC’s net neutrality rules.


Latest Assault on Net Neutrality Launched at Telecommunications Industry-Funded Think Tank