Sen Markey, Public Knowledge: Public Safety May Require Title II

Author: 
Coverage Type: 

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) and Public Knowledge both said that classifying broadband as a Title II service could be a public safety must-have. At a hearing in the Senate Communications Subcommittee on the safety and network reliability issues related to the IP transition, Sen Markey said he agreed that it may be necessary for the Federal Communications Commission to reclassify broadband under Title II to insure that VoIP 911 calls get completed.

In her testimony for the hearing, Public Knowledge senior staff attorney Jodie Griffin said that the DC circuit's decision overturning open Internet rules "called into question the FCC's ability to continue applying certain fundamental policies" to an IP-based phone network, particularly its ability to require VoIP providers to complete all calls, or prohibit them from blocking calls.

Sen Markey agreed with Griffin's assertion that unless the FCC can assure that ability to insure core values like access and reliability under Title I, which she suggests the court signaled it can't, the FCC should reclassify.


Sen Markey, Public Knowledge: Public Safety May Require Title II