FTC pressed to get involved in network neutrality

Dozens of academics are asking the Federal Trade Commission to raise its voice in the fight over new network neutrality rules.

A letter signed by 32 scholars was sent to the FTC urging the regulator to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from writing utility-style rules for Internet service providers, which they say could end up hurting consumers. The scholars, many of whom have advocated for free market positions, say the FCC rules could hamper “potentially pro-competitive conduct.” Reclassifying broadband Internet service so that it could be regulated as a public utility would lead to “a plethora of outdated regulations, price controls, and other burdens,” the academics wrote in their letter, which was organized by the International Center for Law and Economics.